We’ve just wrapped up an eventful sixth week in this 2020 legislative session. It has left me thinking about one inescapable fact: there has been a lot of bad legislation going through the process this year. Why do I say that? The first reason is the revenue forecast that was...

The fifth week of the 2020 Legislature is well under way. Yesterday was the deadline for bills in the Senate’s fiscal committees (Ways and Means, and Transportation) to advance in order to remain eligible for passage this session. There’s an exception for those bills that are necessary to implement one...

The 2020 Legislature is in the middle of its fourth week, meaning there are five and a half weeks to go in the 60-day session. This Friday we will reach the deadline for bills to pass policy (non-fiscal) committees if they are to move forward. Next Tuesday, Feb. 11, is...

We are now well into the 2020 legislative session. There was plenty of activity this week, including hearings and voting on bills in committees, as well as some time voting on a handful of bills on the floor of the Senate chamber. One of the bills that was subject to...

Despite the rain, thousands of Washingtonians from across the state gathered in Olympia on Monday for the 42nd Annual March for Life. While the march is timed to coincide with the dark anniversary of the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, it also happens early in...

Monday was the start of the 2020 legislative session. With only 60 days during this short session to complete our work, lawmakers wasted no time getting down to business. Some legislators have returned to Olympia, determined to thwart the will of the people. They are content to leave the fate...

This week lawmakers returned to Olympia for what are known as “committee assembly days” – the time when legislative committees meet to do some pre-session planning. The Senate committees on which I serve – Law and Justice, Early Learning and K-12 Education, and Transportation – convened to discuss a number...

As Halloween rapidly approaches there will be plenty of ghosts, witches and a few saints searching for candy and other treats. I hope it is a safe and enjoyable time for you and your family. Fortunately, one of the treats our nation continues to enjoy is a thriving economy, which...

I thank those of you who attended our coffee meetings at Cole’s Coffee this past week. These coffee meetings have been a great way for us to connect and share our thoughts on important issues for our state and our community. Another way to stay up to date on news...