Highline College will be hosting an open town hall with state lawmakers this weekend. Legislative District 33 state Sen. Tina Orwall, Rep. Mia Gregerson, and Rep. Edwin Obras will be in attendance taking questions and engaging in conversations about important issues in our local region. 

Taking place on Sunday, Feb. 22, from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., it’s highly encouraged that all able members of the community attend town halls and other local events held by elected officials. Questions can be submitted ahead of time.

Sen. Orwall and Rep. Gregerson were on campus recently, at the ASHC’s 23rd Legislative Breakfast in December, and are expected to provide updates on their efforts on the concerns heard late last year. 

Opportunities like this, held on a college campus, are the perfect launching ground for policies that work for us as students. At last quarter’s ASHC Legislative Breakfast, Rep. Jamila Taylor (D-Federal Way) heard stories of students struggling with the cost of public transportation, therefore she introduced a bill earlier this year aiming to provide free or reduced transit fares for students. 

Town halls are an important part of a politician’s toolbox when it comes to connecting with the citizens of their district, and it gives people a chance to connect directly with those in power. Attending a local town hall, prepared with questions and concerns, is what practicing democracy looks like – engaging and holding accountable our elected officials. 

Last summer, town halls were inundated with angry constituents advocating for themselves to their elected officials. Republicans intended to sell President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”, but instead was met with a heated populace demanding answers and actions.

Fortunately, many of Washington’s elected officials have continued to align themselves with the concerns of their constituents, with the exception of Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez, who had her Vancouver office vandalized after voting to approve more funding for ICE. 

Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that point. As midterm elections approach, federal Republicans are eyeing changes in voting procedure, and state Democrats are instilling precautionary measures to protect voter registration.