Two state legislators attending Kennewick’s Jan. 7 special meeting outlined session priorities that intersect with city concerns, including housing, energy siting, workforce development and emerging technology oversight.

April Connor, state representative for the 8th Legislative District, said she sits on the House Appropriations and Housing committees and is the House Republican caucus floor leader. Connor said she is working on housing legislation and a bipartisan bill to expand urban growth boundaries where infrastructure already exists; she also said she plans to push again for a Homes for Heroes bill to assist first responders with down‑payment assistance and for youth workforce bills to expand work opportunities for students in skill centers.

State Senator Matt Behnke (8th District) said he serves on energy and environment committees and noted work on the Horse Heaven Hills wind farm issues, greenhouse gas and CETA implementation and grid reliability. Behnke said the Legislature’s AI task force released a report and that lawmakers will consider guidelines for AI focused on safety, security, data storage, transparency and accountability. He also described efforts related to manufacturing tax credits and other competitiveness measures to address out‑migration from Washington.

Both legislators encouraged local officials to bring data and constituent stories to Olympia committee hearings and to use scheduled visits and Tri‑City Day to meet committee chairs and ranking members. They suggested targeted coordination with committee leaders — for example, naming likely capital committee and transportation committee contacts — to increase the chances of funding and bill movement.