State Sens. Sharon Brown, Mark Schoesler and Maureen Walsh are inviting residents in Benton and Franklin counties to take part in a telephone town hall from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 3.

Brown, R-Kennewick, serves the 8th Legislative District, which includes part of Benton County. Schoesler, R-Ritzville, represents the 9th Legislative District, which covers most of Franklin County. Walsh, R-Walla Walla, is from the 16th District, which includes parts of Benton and Franklin counties.

Automated phone calls will go out throughout the two counties, but constituents who don’t receive a phone call during the event may call (509) 417-0627 to join in.

The telephone town hall will be similar to a call-in radio program, with the lawmakers providing an update on the 2019 legislative session before taking questions from participants.

“This platform is a great and easy way for us to connect with our constituents from the comfort of their home. It provides us a convenient way to communicate what lawmakers are discussing in Olympia and to learn what issues are important to the people back home,” said Brown, who is Senate Deputy Republican Leader.

“Most of the legislative session already has been completed, but there are several major issues for the Legislature to address during the homestretch, so we look forward to sharing information with people and answering their questions during the telephone town hall,” said Schoesler, who is Senate Republican leader.

Walsh noted that the key decisions of this year’s legislative session will come during the final weeks. “The most controversial bills of the session have yet to receive their final votes, and we haven’t even begun debating proposals for taxes and spending. These are going to be tough battles, and we’re interested in hearing where the people of southeast Washington stand,” said Walsh.

The 2019 legislative session is scheduled to end April 28.