Rep. Chase explains his Win-Win Act that would create two ‘autonomous regions’ in Washington state

By Washington State Representative Rob Chase

I am the Washington State Rep. for the 4th District, Spokane Valley (R), and in the 2025 legislative session, I introduced legislation (House Bill 2085) the Win-Win Act, that would create two “autonomous regions” within state boundaries. One would be called the Puget Sound region, and the other the Columbia region.

I introduced the legislation because many people in rural and eastern Washington do not feel that their voices are being heard and are not represented in Olympia, due to the high majority of legislators in the Legislature from the Puget Sound region. While a 51st state has been discussed, it relies on the federal government for approval and has not gained much traction.

Our Win-Win Act will NOT require federal approval.