OLYMPIA — Washington State Sen. Keith Goehner, R-Dryden, has been selected as the ranking Republican member on the Senate Housing Committee as he begins his first term in 2025, following three terms in the State House of Representatives.
Goehner, who served as a Chelan County Commissioner for 16 years, will focus on addressing Washington's housing crisis through regulatory reform. "The state has been facing a housing crisis for a long time and it needs to be addressed," Goehner said. "I expect to focus on the regulatory environment, the permitting process, and environmental issues. We need to create more housing opportunities for all income levels."
In addition to his role on the Housing Committee, Goehner will serve as the assistant ranking Republican on the Transportation Committee, where he plans to prioritize efficiency and rural access improvements. He identified Highways 2 and 522 as critical infrastructure concerns for his district.
"I appreciate the opportunity to be on the transportation committee as the Assistant Ranking Republican so I can be part of negotiations and have input on the final decisions in the transportation budget," Goehner said.
The former state representative will also serve on the Local Government Committee, drawing from his extensive experience in county government. "Because of my background in local government, I'm excited to be on the committee," Goehner said. "I'm very conscious and concerned of the challenges that small governments face and will continue to be mindful of the State's expectations for the municipalities in our district and ensuring adequate funding for those services."
Goehner represents the 12th Legislative District, which spans both sides of the Cascade Mountains and includes diverse communities such as Monroe, Snoqualmie, North Bend, Leavenworth, Chelan, Cashmere, and Wenatchee.
The 2025 Legislative Session commenced today, marking the beginning of Goehner's first term in the Senate.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here