Washington Lawmakers Cite Local Newspaper in Panel Discussion

State legislators mention The Columbian multiple times during post-session event

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:05pm

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A panel discussion featuring Washington state legislators touched on several key issues from the recent legislative session, including the new 'millionaires tax.' During the event, lawmakers cited The Columbian newspaper multiple times, indicating they are reading and engaging with the local news coverage.

Why it matters

This suggests the reporting by The Columbian is having an impact and influencing the political discourse in the state. It's a positive sign when lawmakers are demonstrating awareness of local journalism and the stories being told, even if they don't always agree with the coverage.

The details

The panel discussion was hosted by three local business groups, including the Greater Vancouver Chamber, and took place at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Sen. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, mentioned seeing people 'smiling' in a Columbian article about the new millionaires tax, which he opposed. Overall, the lawmakers discussed a range of key issues from the legislative session that had been extensively covered by The Columbian.

  • The panel discussion took place on Thursday, March 27, 2026.
  • The Washington state legislative session ended on March 12, 2026.

The players

Sen. Paul Harris

A Republican state senator representing the Vancouver, Washington area.

The Columbian

A local newspaper serving the Vancouver, Washington region.

Greater Vancouver Chamber

One of the three local business groups that hosted the panel discussion.

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What they’re saying

“I was surprised to see people smiling in a picture in the pages of The Columbian after the tax passed.”

— Sen. Paul Harris, State Senator

The takeaway

This event highlights the important role local journalism plays in shaping political discourse, even when lawmakers may disagree with the coverage. The Columbian's reporting is clearly being read and discussed by state legislators, demonstrating the newspaper's influence in the community.