Transportation, capital budgets provide funding for 4th Legislative District projects
OLYMPIA – Improvements to I-90 in the eastern Spokane Valley and other public works construction for the 4th Legislative District were among many projects OK’d by lawmakers as they passed capital and transportation budgets Sunday, the final day of the 2019 legislative session. Other appropriations for the 4th District include...
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Taxes? Immunizations? Sanctuary state? Big issues in doubt in Olympia
The following newsletter was sent to Sen. Mike Padden’s subscribers April 25, 2019. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Busy floor sessions are commonplace as the Legislature heads toward adjournment. Waiting for a deal as Legislature’s adjournment nears Legislature due to adjourn Sunday, but major issues, DUI bill...
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Legislature passes Padden bill banning organ-transplant discrimination
OLYMPIA… The Legislature has unanimously approved Sen. Mike Padden’s anti-discrimination legislation to protect people with developmental disabilities who are seeking organ transplants. Substitute Senate Bill 5405 was passed March 8 by the Senate and April 9 by the House of Representatives. The Senate today voted 42-0 to concur with the...
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Padden school-safety bill signed into law
Senate Bill 5514 is signed into law Friday by Gov. Jay Inslee. Left to right, Tim Hunt, director of communications and outreach for the Washington State Catholic Conference, Suzie Hanson, executive director of the Washington Federation of Independent Schools, Catholic Conference government affairs representative Luke Esser, Padden session aide John...
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Padden human-trafficking bill becomes law
Measure will aid prosecution of crimes against children At Friday’s bill signing, Gov. Jay Inslee is joined by Padden session intern Dagny Ahrend, Padden session aide John Jourdan, Russ Brown, executive director of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Tim Heffer and wife Meg, representing Shared Hope International, and Sen....
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Saving the worst for last in Olympia
The following newsletters was sent to Sen. Mike Padden’s subscribers on April 18, 2019. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Saving the worst for last in the Washington Legislature Big tax increases, controversial measures await action in the next 10 days Dear Friends and Neighbors, We’re in the...
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Senate passes DUI bill, extends ‘look-back’ in sentencing
OLYMPIA – The state Senate Wednesday passed a bill that would extend the ‘look-back’ in DUI cases, allowing courts to consider convictions over the last 15 years during sentencing. The bill now returns to the House for concurrence on amendments. House Bill 1504 would allow more repeat offenders to be...
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New Government Guide issued in 4th Legislative District
OLYMPIA — A new government guide has been issued for the 4th Legislative District, and is available through the office of Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley. The guide contains contact information for government agencies and service providers in the Spokane Valley and Spokane County. Copies will be mailed throughout the...
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Every now and again, a good idea succeeds at the statehouse
The following newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers April 11, 2019. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. To see debate on Senate floor amendment regarding heroin injection sites, click here. A few pleasant statehouse surprises as Legislature works toward the finish Not everything in Olympia is gloom...
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