Radio: Reps. Brian Burnett and Alex Ybarra recap controversial 2026 session on Wenatchee’s KPQ Legislative Hotline

March 18, 2026

Reps. Brian Burnett, R-Wenatchee, and Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, join Chris Hansen on KPQ’s Legislative Hotline for a final recap of the 2026 legislative session, which ended the day before. The two lawmakers discuss the compressed pace of the 60-day session, major partisan battles over taxes and other controversial bills, and the challenge of advancing Republican priorities in a closely divided but Democrat-controlled House.

Burnett and Ybarra also reflect on what they see as key session victories, including blocking a large number of bills, maintaining a unified Republican caucus during the record-setting floor fight over the income tax proposal, and working across the aisle on issues such as energy, transportation and capital budget projects. The conversation closes with a broader discussion about the role of partisan imbalance in Olympia and the importance of voter participation going forward.