DAYTON – Republicans are in a stronger position in the Washington state legislature this year, and the state's economy is stronger as well. Those are two factors that State Representative Terry Nealey, Republican from Dayton, will look forward to as he heads to Olympia this month for his sixth legislative session.

The 2015 session of the Washington State legislature opens Monday. This year's regular 105-day session will last until early May. The state house and senate must agree on a two-year budget, which will go into effect July 1, before they adjourn. A special session could extend leg...