January 29, 2018

Padden bill on police body cameras receives hearing in Senate committee

Today the Senate Law and Justice Committee received public testimony on Senate Bill 6408, aimed at clarifying the rules surrounding the use of police body cameras. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, the ranking member on the committee. In 2016, the Legislature passed House Bill 2362,...
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January 26, 2018

Padden’s remarks on confirmation of Stephen Sinclair at DOC

Senator Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, urges a no vote on the confirmation of Stephen Sinclair to head the Washington state Department of Corrections. Padden urges a ‘no’ vote on SGA 9267 – STEPHEN SINCLAIR, appointed April 25, 2017, for a term ending January 01, 2075, as Director of the Department...
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January 26, 2018

Senate unanimously approves Padden bill to increase access to small-claims court

On Thursday the Senate approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden that is aimed at increasing access to small-claims courts, by raising the jurisdiction of the courts from $5,000 to $10,000. “This is an important update in the jurisdiction of small-claims courts that’s well overdue,” said Padden, the lead...
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January 24, 2018

Big win for rural Washington!

It was quite the emotional roller coaster last week here in Olympia — with several ups and downs and twists. Last week, however, ended with some great news. On Thursday night, the Legislature finally approved a remedy for the disastrous Hirst decision — the Supreme Court ruling that made it nearly impossible for rural...
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January 12, 2018

What we face in the 2018 Session

The 2018 session is underway, and although we have only been in Olympia for a few days, I have much to share with you. Already lawmakers have started work on issues that affect both our state and our district, from addressing the ability of rural property owners to develop and...
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December 26, 2017

New year to bring new challenges and opportunities

Dear Friends and Neighbors, I hope that you and your family enjoyed a very peaceful and joyous Christmas celebration, and are ready to welcome in the new year. As 2018 rapidly approaches, so too does the start of the new legislative session in Olympia. Like every session, this year will...
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November 27, 2017

Battle lines being redrawn for 2018 as Senate control changes

The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, Nov. 27, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, Six weeks from now, we will begin a legislative session in which Democrats have control of the House, the Senate and the...
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November 20, 2017

Padden named ranking member on Senate Law and Justice Committee

OLYMPIA – Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, has been named ranking minority member on the Senate Law and Justice Committee as this month’s election forces reorganization of the Senate. The ranking minority position is the top Republican slot on the Law and Justice Committee, which Padden has chaired for the...
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November 09, 2017

Veterans’ Day celebration set; control of Senate shifts

The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, Nov. 9, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here.   Dear friends and neighbors, We have plenty of news to report this week. A Veteran’s Day celebration has been set for Felt’s Field, a key member...
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