Padden says bill is ‘unnecessary, unconstitutional and could prove costly for state’ The Senate Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing at 3:30 p.m. today on House Bill 2330, a controversial measure that would require private-insurance plans which provide maternity coverage to also pay for elective abortions. “Proponents...

Calling it simply the “right thing to do,” Sen. Mike Padden today applauded the Senate’s passage of his bill to give legal protection to charitable organizations that are working to provide much-needed eyeglasses to our state’s poor, homeless and uninsured. “I am glad to see such broad support for this...

Hour-long community event begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 State Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, is inviting residents of the 4th Legislative District to participate in a telephone town-hall meeting Wednesday, Feb. 15. The live community forum regarding the 2012 legislative session and issues that directly impact eastern Washington...

The Senate Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee on Wednesday gave a “do pass” recommendation to a bill introduced by Sen. Mike Padden that would bring much needed relief to new businesses. Senate Bill 6327 would create a one-year exemption from the state business and occupation (B&O) tax for all...

The Senate tonight, by a vote of 28 to 21, passed Senate Bill 6239, a measure that would redefine marriage in Washington to include relationships between same-sex couples. Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, voted against the bill, and offered this statement: “Marriage...

Relief measure could benefit 90,000 businesses over the next four years Washington’s business and occupation (B&O) tax is widely regarded as one of the most onerous and punitive taxes that new and small businesses face. Spokane Valley Republican Sen. Mike Padden is now taking aim at this leading cause of...

Sen. Mike Padden today told the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee that Washington should protect those charitable organizations that are working to provide much-needed eyewear to our state’s poor, homeless and uninsured from civil lawsuits. “Organizations like the Union Gospel Mission and Lions Club International are providing an important...

On Dec. 3 the Spokane Valley Bengals capped a perfect season by capturing the national Pop Warner football championship in the Mighty-Mites division. On Friday the team, its coaches and the players’ parents were recognized in a resolution adopted by the Washington State Senate. Spokane Valley is in the Fourth...

Gov. Chris Gregoire today reiterated her support for allowing gays and lesbians to marry and urged legislators to pass her proposed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington. Today Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued this statement in response to the governor’s proposal: “I...