News

Inslee’s extreme actions demand stronger, historic response from legislative branch, Freedom Caucus members say
September 01, 2021
OLYMPIA… Since Gov. Jay Inslee announced renewed masking requirements and vaccination mandates, legislative offices have been flooded with messages in strong opposition. The Freedom Caucus is backing a resolution for a historic legislative special session that would cover key policy areas being voiced by their constituents: Public safety; Emergency-powers reform;... Read More...
Pair of Padden bills signed by governor
May 12, 2021
Measures would reduce barriers to condo construction and help protect free speech In a virtual ceremony today at the state Capitol, Gov. Jay Inslee signed two of Sen. Mike Padden’s measures from the 2021 legislative session. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5024, which cleared both the House and Senate unanimously after... Read More...
Income tax sweeps Senate Freedom Caucus ‘Galloping Gertie’ Awards
April 28, 2021
Awards ceremony honors ‘epic fails’ of 2021 legislative session The new income tax passed by majority Democrats in the Washington Legislature earned top honors in the first annual Galloping Gertie Awards, presented by the Senate Freedom Caucus to honor the biggest fails of the 2021 legislative session. The income tax... Read More...
Padden Anti-SLAPP legislation passes Senate
February 26, 2021
Uniform Public Expression Protection Act would restore critical free-speech protections Today the Senate voted 46-0 to approve Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to help protect citizens, whistleblowers and members of the news media from frivolous lawsuits aimed at stifling freedom of speech and the discussion of legitimate public issues. “The right... Read More...
Padden bill to remove barriers to condo construction passes Senate
January 27, 2021
Today the Senate passed Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to help increase the supply of affordable housing by removing barriers to condominium construction. “I am pleased to see such broad bipartisan support for this common-sense measure,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “At a time when many areas of the state are desperate... Read More...
Senate committee advances Padden bill to accommodate the hearing-impaired
January 22, 2021
4th District lawmaker says goal is to educate, not penalize On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Senate Law and Justice Committee approved Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to help people with hearing impairments by increasing the availability of closed captioning on televisions in public places. The committee gave the measure a “do-pass”... Read More...
Reopen businesses under Bill 5114
January 21, 2021
Click here to read at the Gazette. BY SEN. MIKE PADDEN This legislative session, which started Jan. 11, will require you as a resident to work harder than ever to keep our representative democracy…well…representative. Access to democracy is a major topic at the start of this year’s gathering of lawmakers.... Read More...