February 29, 2024

Nearly 97% of those testifying on I-2113 support it

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers February 29, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, After constant pressure from citizens across the state, three of the six initiatives sent to the Legislature this session finally received public hearings before joint...
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February 23, 2024

State Senate honors former legislator Linda Smith

The Washington State Senate today passed a resolution honoring Linda Smith, a former state legislator and member of Congress who began and continues to lead a world and nationwide fight against child sex trafficking after she left politics. Senate Resolution 8680 is sponsored by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden, who...
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February 22, 2024

Three initiatives to Legislature to receive hearings next week

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers February 22, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, After weeks of no action on any of the six initiatives sent to the Legislature early this session, Senate Democratic Leader Andy Billig of Spokane...
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February 20, 2024

House Housing Committee passes two Padden bills

A House committee has advanced two bills introduced by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden, including one that helps encourage home ownership in Washington by making it easier to construct smaller condominium buildings. The House Housing Committee yesterday approved Senate Bill 5792, which would exclude buildings with 12 or fewer units...
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February 19, 2024

Padden says key 4th District projects funded in Senate capital budget

The Senate’s proposed two-year state supplemental capital budget includes funding to efforts to recover from two major wildfires that struck Spokane County last year, and reduce emissions at the Kaiser Aluminum plant in Spokane Valley, says 4th District Sen. Mike Padden. “I’m pleased to see the $975,000 to help with...
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February 15, 2024

Public pressure helps kill bill raising property tax cap

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers February 15, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, A key deadline has been reached as the 2024 legislative session enters its final three weeks. Tuesday was “Senate floor cutoff,” the last day for...
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February 12, 2024

Senate approves Padden bill to help pollinators

A bill requested by a Mount Spokane High School student to help bees and other pollinators has cleared the Senate this year. The Senate voted 48-1 to pass Senate Bill 5934, a bipartisan measure introduced by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden that aims to promote the use of pollinator-friendly shrubs...
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February 08, 2024

ALERT – Property taxes could rise under bad bill moving in Senate

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers February 8, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Senate Democrats are considering a bill this session that could dramatically raise your property taxes if enacted. Unfortunately,...
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February 07, 2024

Senators denounce bill to raise property taxes – vote expected Thursday

OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate is poised to approve a bill Thursday that would allow the annual growth in property taxes to triple, flouting the will of Washington voters who approved a cap on property taxes in 2001. Republican senators say they plan to raise stiff opposition when the bill...
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