For the Reporter

Sen. Pam Roach invites 31st Legislative District residents to join her Saturday for a town-hall meeting. It will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Sumner City Hall, 1104 Maple Street.

“There are a myriad of issues of importance to our communities,” said Roach, R-Sumner. “I always appreciate hearing from the public, particularly before a new legislative session.”

“I have been working hard on the issues our district cares about most, our children, our economy, and the use of our tax dollars,” Roach said.

“I look forward to discussing many issues on Saturday,” Roach said. “Subjects like education, public safety, and the potential implementation of the two-thirds-vote requirement for tax increases may be brought forward. Protecting trade-related jobs at our port might also be discussed.”

Roach returns as chair of the Senate Government Operations and Security Committee when lawmakers convene Jan. 11 at the Capitol. She also will continue as president pro tempore, one of the Senate’s top leadership posts.

Nearly 80 people attended Roach’s most recent district meeting, on Nov. 5 in Enumclaw. As a result, the state Department of Transportation postponed non-emergency work on State Route 410. Closing the highway during the height of the ski and holiday-shopping season, as DOT originally planned, would have unnecessarily harmed the local economy.

“Government belongs to the people, and there’s nothing like a town-hall meeting to let people express their opinions and concerns. Saturday’s meeting will be very helpful as I prepare for the upcoming legislative session,” Roach said.

Roach added that constituents are welcome to share about interactions with state agencies, such as the Department of Labor and Industries, the Employment Security Department or Child Protective Services. Those who don’t wish to share personal details, however, should wait and talk with her when the town hall concludes.