Public Safety

January 08, 2024

The bell rings — 60-day legislative session starts today

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers January 8, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, This year’s legislative session begins today and is scheduled to last 60 days, ending March 7. Today will be highlighted with the traditional opening-day ceremonies...
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November 20, 2023

Let’s “ditch the switch!” and have year-round standard time in Washington

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers November 20, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, In November, Americans in nearly every state were forced to adjust to the annual switch from daylight saving time back to standard time. If there...
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November 01, 2023

Regional law-enforcement training center has grand opening

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers November 1, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, On October 19, many local and state officials gathered for the grand-opening ceremony at the Spokane County Sheriff Regional Training Center, near Fairchild Air Force...
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October 12, 2023

“Taxpayer Town Hall” coming October 17 with Treasurer Baumgartner

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers October 12, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, The public is invited to an upcoming “Taxpayer Town Hall” hosted by Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner and myself. It takes place this coming Tuesday,...
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September 28, 2023

Seattle already has passed 2022 homicide total – with three months left

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers September 28, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, In recent years, a glaring example of how our state’s crime problem has worsened is the rise in homicides in Seattle and King County. On...
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July 25, 2023

Washington now leads U.S. in drug overdose deaths

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers July 25, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, Washington now has the dubious honor of having the highest gas prices of all states in America. Unfortunately, our state has become a national leader...
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July 20, 2023

Four Padden-sponsored laws take effect July 23

On Sunday (July 23) many new laws passed this year by the Legislature will take effect. Four of these new laws are based on bills prime-sponsored by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden: Senate Bill 5033, SB 5058, SB 5096 and SB 5218. ‘Kimberly Bender’s law’ The law created by Senate...
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May 16, 2023

Padden believes drug-possession bill passed by Legislature not strong enough to deal with state’s drug crisis

During a one-day special session today, the Legislature approved a bill enhancing penalties for possession of hard drugs, but 4th District Sen. Mike Padden was among the “no” votes in the Senate. Padden, the ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee, believes the compromise version of Senate Bill...
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April 27, 2023

Legislature fails to pass bill addressing drug-possession penalties

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers April 27, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, The Legislature ended its 105-day session Sunday night. As usually happens, the final days of the session focused on passing the final versions of the...
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