Mike Padden

Conference included surprise appearances by Vice President Pence and White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway On Thursday, Oct. 11, Sen. Mike Padden represented the Washington State Senate at a White House conference with Pacific Northwest state and local leaders. The conference included remarks and discussions with key administration officials and policymakers...

I realize a change of seasons doesn’t mean people suddenly have more free time – early fall is no less busy for most folks than summer. Knowing that, I thank each and every one of you who made the effort to meet at the Rocket Bakery for my recent coffee...

Shortly after I sent my previous update, we got word that the state Supreme Court had issued a favorable ruling in our case against the Legislature over its unconstitutional response to I-940. The ruling sends the police-deadly-force initiative to the November ballot, protects the initiative process, and establishes the supremacy...

During the early weeks of the 2018 session, I had an opportunity to meet an impressive young man named TJ Mohammed. I really enjoyed learning about TJ’s personal journey. He spent most of his youth as a refugee in Kenya, after his family was forced to flee the bloody conflict...

No monkey business with initiatives, court tells Legislature A state Supreme Court ruling Tuesday sends a police-deadly-force initiative to the November ballot, protects the initiative process, and establishes the supremacy of the state constitution over the whims of some legislators who find it inconvenient, says Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley....

It has been nearly two months since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in the Janus case, declaring that it is unconstitutional to force public workers to pay union fees. But a lack of communication has many wondering whether Governor Inslee and his administration are dragging their feet on...

The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, July 31, 2018. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here.   In heat of summer, issues simmer Taxes, court cases, and immigration occupy attention during ‘slow season’ Dear friends and neighbors, All of us can agree this is...

OLYMPIA…Leaders of last year’s state Senate investigation into Sound Transit Wednesday submitted an amicus (or “friend of the court”) brief in a class-action lawsuit filed against the regional transit authority in June. The brief was filed in Pierce County Superior Court by Sen. Steve O’Ban, who called for the 2017...

In this July 19 appearance on the Lars Larson Show, Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, discusses a letter sent by 22 Washington lawmakers opposing the abolition of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.