February 05, 2020

Senate budget committee agrees to advance Padden DUI bill

Today the state Senate Ways and Means Committee voted to advance Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to extend the ‘look-back’ in DUI cases, allowing courts to consider convictions over the preceding 15 years when preparing to hand down a sentence. “DUI is a completely preventable crime, and I’m very encouraged by...
Read More
February 05, 2020

First voting deadline of session this Friday

The 2020 Legislature is in the middle of its fourth week, meaning there are five and a half weeks to go in the 60-day session. This Friday we will reach the deadline for bills to pass policy (non-fiscal) committees if they are to move forward. Next Tuesday, Feb. 11, is...
Read More
February 04, 2020

Padden bill on human-trafficking awareness training receives Senate hearing

On Monday the Senate Law and Justice Committee heard testimony on Sen. Mike Padden’s proposal to combat sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable adults by having Washington hotels and motels conduct training on preventing human trafficking. Under Senate Bill 6356, hotels would provide annual training to their employees on identifying...
Read More
January 31, 2020

It Never Stops: Another $1 Billion Tax Proposal

We are now well into the 2020 legislative session. There was plenty of activity this week, including hearings and voting on bills in committees, as well as some time voting on a handful of bills on the floor of the Senate chamber. One of the bills that was subject to...
Read More
January 23, 2020

Padden DUI bill approved by Senate Law and Justice Committee

Today members of the state Senate Law and Justice Committee unanimously voted to advance Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to extend the ‘look-back’ in DUI cases, allowing courts to consider convictions over the preceding 15 years when preparing to hand down a sentence. Senate Bill 5299 would allow more repeat offenders...
Read More
January 23, 2020

Thousands brave rain to March for Life

Despite the rain, thousands of Washingtonians from across the state gathered in Olympia on Monday for the 42nd Annual March for Life. While the march is timed to coincide with the dark anniversary of the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, it also happens early in...
Read More
January 22, 2020

Eastern Washington senators sponsor bill to end tax chaos for concrete pumpers

Three state senators from eastern Washington – 6th District Sen. Jeff Holy, 4th District Sen. Mike Padden and 7th District Sen. Shelly Short – are leading a legislative effort to fix a problem caused by the state Department of Revenue that affects how concrete pumpers are taxed. Senate Bill 6317,...
Read More
January 17, 2020

Padden introduces bill to require training on human trafficking

Spokane Valley senator reminds public that January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness month This week Sen. Mike Padden introduced a bill to help end the sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable adults that occurs at hotels and motels in cities across Washington. The Spokane Valley Republican’s announcement of...
Read More
January 16, 2020

Message to Olympia: Stop ignoring the people!

Monday was the start of the 2020 legislative session. With only 60 days during this short session to complete our work, lawmakers wasted no time getting down to business. Some legislators have returned to Olympia, determined to thwart the will of the people. They are content to leave the fate...
Read More