Krishnadasan on Second Session and Second Election

Sen. Deb Krishnadasan (D-26th)

Washington State Legislature

We are one of the most regressive tax systems in the country. So, I do hope there is additional conversation and work on making this right and having true tax reform for our state.”

Democrat Deb Krishnadasan was sworn in as the 26th District State Senator Dec. 11, 2024, after she was appointed by the Kitsap and Pierce County councils to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Emily Randall (D-6th CD) when she was elected as a U.S. Representative to Congress.

Sen. Krishnadasan successfully defended her seat in a special election in November 2025 against Rep. Michelle Valdez (formerly Caldier, R-26th), and she will be campaigning for it again in November 2026 as part of the normal election cycle. She has one Republican opponent as of press time, Gig Harbor restaurateur Gary Parker.

“Across the state and including the KP, the number one thing was affordability,” Krishnadasan told Key Peninsula News. “So, I went to bat for affordability this last session, and expanding that tax exemption was really important.”

She referred to legislation that directly assists seniors, disabled veterans, and other disabled people across the state. Senate Bill 6162 is an expansion of the property tax exemption program that will help low-income homeowners stay in their own homes.

“We want to encourage help with our housing crisis,” she said. “We are making it much easier to apply and get this benefit.”

Qualified seniors and disabled homeowners can apply for property tax exemptions. Applications for the program are now more streamlined. It is anticipated that 50,000 more households will qualify for tax relief, about 7,500 in Pierce County alone. The updated program will take effect in 2027.

Krishnadasan said she enjoys working across the aisle with her Senate colleagues. Her constituents tell her that they want and appreciate civility in government. “People were very happy about how I’m approaching my work in Olympia,” she said.

But there are frustrations, too.

“In general, a lot of the things that are happening at the national level, we’re trying to cover that here in Washington state, so that’s frustrating,” she said.

“Like if there’s food assistance programs, or healthcare programs that are being cut at the national level, we’re trying to backfill that or to implement what the federal government wants the state to do. It’s costing us a lot to implement some of those programs.”

Nevertheless, Krishnadasan was one of the senators who voted against the millionaire’s tax after hearing from her constituents. The final Senate vote was 27-21 in favor; it passed the House 51-46.

“This bill was really challenging for me,” she said. “I got a lot of feedback from my constituents in the 26th asking me not to vote for this bill. Most of the people who were reaching out to me were asking me not to vote for it.”

Before this bill came up, Krishnadasan was looking at general tax reform.

“So, if you’re going to be taxing those that are earning the most in Washington, you also need to take taxes away from those who are struggling, our working families. I don’t think the people I talked to were going to have enough impact (from the bill) to make life more affordable. If we are going to have true tax reform, we need to make sure that affordability for those that need it the most is accommodated in tax reform.

“We are one of the most regressive tax systems in the country. So, I do hope there is additional conversation and work on making this right and having true tax reform for our state.”

Krishnadasan also worked on legislation that addresses government efficiencies, “making sure our government is working as hard as our taxpayers,” she said.

Two bills that passed the Senate but not the House were aimed at streamlining the permitting and licensing process. “The Department of Health had a four-month backlog for permitting. The governor did an executive order to require state agencies to streamline their processes and get permits out more reliably and more predictably. Already, the turnaround for the health department is from four months down to six weeks. The bill was instituting it into law and allowing those agencies to refund those fees if they do not meet the guidelines.”

Another bill ready for reintroduction would eliminate reports no longer relevant to the state. “There are so many reports that no longer make sense, that are no longer needed. This is saving taxpayer money by working more efficiently,” she said.

Krishnadasan said she continues to advocate for the Key Peninsula. She secured transportation funding of $460,000 for the KP Rural Transit Program, working with Pierce County Councilmember Robyn Denson (D-7th). Bus service is now available from Gig Harbor Uptown to the Longbranch fire station.

In addition, Krishnadasan is aware of food insecurity on the KP. “I’m so happy to work with Food 4 All, with $215,000 secured in funding for projects and the KP Community Services food pantry. By last fall, 60% more people were coming in. I’m really glad to support that work.”

Krishnadasan also got funding for the Key Peninsula Preschool, a nonprofit umbrella for three programs: infant childcare; Forest Friends, a full-week outdoor preschool; and the cooperative half-day preschool indoors, currently housed at the KP Civic Center. “Probably one of the highlights of my last session,” she said. “I went out to visit the childcare center, and I was just so happy to see the staff there and the families they were helping.”

She also acknowledged the recent violent deaths in Wauna, Feb. 24, Vaughn, Jan. 27, and Herron Island last Dec. 11.

“I would be remiss if I did not mention the Key Peninsula’s heartbreaking events,” she said. “It just really hurt; it was devastating (referring to nine deaths in three months). I want to support more access to mental health services.”