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Maycumber gives Republican response to Gov. Inslee’s State of the State speech


Jan 16, 2019

Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee gave his annual State of the State speech at the state Capitol today in Olympia. As he outlined his ideas to raise taxes and increase state spending, one 7th District lawmaker was preparing for the official Republican response.

Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, a Republican from the town of Republic, was chosen by her legislative colleagues to give another perspective.

“It was an honor to be chosen by my colleagues to give the official response to the governor's State of the State address,” said Maycumber, who was sworn in on Monday for her second two-year term in office. “I took the concerns, frustrations and values of my 7th District constituents with me throughout the process. I thought about what they might say if they had the opportunity to address the governor about his spending plans and his efforts to possibly head to the other Washington.”

Maycumber follows on the heels of another Northeast Washington lawmaker in giving the official State of the State response. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers was afforded the same opportunity when she was a state representative in 2001. She gave the State of the State response to then-Gov. Gary Locke.

McMorris-Rodgers also gave the Republican response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech in 2014.

Maycumber said she was inspired by the congresswoman, considering her something of a mentor in public service.

“Congresswoman Cathy McMorris-Rodgers serves her constituents and her communities with tenacity, compassion, dignity and grace,” said Maycumber. “She is fearless in advocating for her district and to me, exemplifies what it means to disagree without being disagreeable. Her ability to stay true to her core values while working across party lines is something I strive to emulate with my work in Olympia.”

Inslee used his State of the State speech to outline his plans for increased spending, increased taxes, and efforts to fight climate change and save orcas.

Maycumber said while Inslee focused on more spending, more taxes and more bureaucracy, she preferred to focus on the people paying the bills.

“There are some in Olympia who will continue to want more,” said Maycumber. “But we should be focused on better! Is there a better way for the state to deliver certain services? Is there a better solution just waiting around the corner, but we don't reach for it because we've always done things a certain way?

“With taxpayers sending more of their hard-earned money to Olympia than ever before, we have a responsibility to prioritize services and live within our means,” said Maycumber. “Tax increases should not even be on the table; they should be the last resort, not the first option.”

Interested residents can view Maycumber's State of the State response by visiting TVW, the state version of C-SPAN. Her speech can also be viewed here: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2019011037

The 2019 legislative session began Monday, Jan. 14 and is scheduled to last 105 days.


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