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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
After the 2026 legislative session adjourned, Rep. Gloria Mendoza and I sent out a 2026 Legislative Session Report to 14th District residents. If you have not received one, you can find it on my website here.
Rep. Gloria Mendoza and I recently finished a media tour across the 14th District where we were able to share details of the 2026 legislative session. To read one of the stories generated from our tour, click the link below.
Election-year restrictions
Due to election-year restrictions, this is the last update you will receive from me until after the November election is certified this fall. However, I am still your state representative year-round. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns, or ideas.
I am also available to meet or speak with your community group, organization or association.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you in Olympia. It is an honor!
With this being my last email, I want to make you aware of several issues in our community.
Property tax relief
The Legislature passed Senate Bill 6162 during the 2026 session. The legislation expands Washington’s existing property tax relief program to low-income seniors and disabled veterans. It goes into effect June 11, 2026. Check with your county assessor if you think you may qualify.
Contaminated wells in the Outlook area
There is concern about possible contamination of wells in the Lower Yakima Valley Groundwater Management Area. The Washington State Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (ODW) has shared information with me about its Safe Drinking Water Initiative program, which started in December and will run through June, 30, 2027. Households in the GWMA area are eligible for a free well test of coliform bacteria and nitrate levels.
If the household well equals or exceeds the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate (10 mg/L), they are eligible for free bottled water pickup in Sunnyside, as well as a free point-of-use reverse osmosis (RO) filtration system that is installed under the kitchen sink. Currently, ODW is not providing filter replacement (maintenance) for the RO units, but the Clean Drinking Water Program will provide free maintenance. Below is a QR Code for households to see if they qualify.
Japanese beetle eradication
The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is working to protect agricultural communities from the invasive Japanese beetle with a multi-year eradication project in King, Yakima, Benton and Franklin counties. To achieve eradication, WSDA offers annual free yard treatments to properties near recent beetle catches.
WSDA began treating properties with a reduced-risk insecticide at the end of April. Properties must return a consent form for treatment. Every property that does not consent becomes a refuge where beetles can multiply.
I am assisting WSDA in spreading the word because fewer than half of the eligible properties have responded to its treatment requests. We do not want Japanese beetles to become permanently established in our state. You can go to the department’s spread the word webpage or to find out if you are in a treatment area, go here.
If you have any questions about any of these programs, do not hesitate to contact my office.
Town hall thank you
I want to thank everyone who attended the joint town hall for the 14th and 15th District representatives on Monday. Reps. Chris Corry, Jeremie Dufault, Gloria Mendoza, and I appreciate the strong turnout and those who made the effort to attend. I know people are very busy, and a lot is happening this time of year. There were more than 70 people in attendance on Monday. Rep. Mendoza and I had a great discussion with constituents on Tuesday in Toppenish.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you. It is an honor to represent the 14th District.
Sincerely,
Deb Manjarrez
