One of the most common frustrations I hear while talking with people across our district is this:

“Why does it feel like regular people are no longer being heard?”

That question comes from Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and people who have stopped paying attention to politics altogether because they feel their voices no longer matter.

Many people feel disconnected from the decisions being made in Olympia. They feel policies are increasingly shaped around political priorities, special interests, or expanding government programs rather than the practical realities facing working families.

People are frustrated that despite repeated public concern about affordability, taxes, public safety, and cost of living, many feel the response from state leadership has simply been to ask for more revenue rather than reevaluate spending priorities.

One issue that frequently comes up in conversations is taxation.

Washington voters rejected a state income tax multiple times through ballot measures and advisory votes. Yet many residents believe recent tax policies — including the capital gains tax — represent movement toward an income-tax-like system despite previous voter opposition.

Supporters argue the capital gains tax targets only the wealthiest residents to fund education and childcare programs. Opponents argue that it creates concerns about future tax expansion, impacts business investment, and affects many small business owners through pass-through structures and long-term asset sales.

Regardless of where someone stands politically, many people I speak with share a broader concern:

They feel major financial decisions affecting their lives are being made without accountability.

That concern matters.

Because representative government depends on trust.

People do not expect everyone to agree on every issue. But they do expect transparency, honest debate, and meaningful representation.

They expect elected officials to listen carefully to the people who sent them there.

And increasingly, many people do not feel that is happening.

The frustration I hear is not rooted in extremism.

It is rooted in the feeling that ordinary people are carrying the burden of decisions while having less and less influence over them.

That is not healthy for any state, regardless of political party.

We need leadership willing to ask difficult questions:

• Are policies sustainable long term?
• Are taxpayers seeing measurable results?
• Are families becoming more financially secure?
• Are small businesses able to survive and grow?
• Are we budgeting responsibly?
• Are we listening to the people most affected by these decisions?

Those are reasonable questions.

And the people asking questions deserve respect — not dismissal.

Healthy government requires more than passing laws.

It requires trust.

And trust begins by listening to the people we serve.

-Dr. Kathleen Richardson