Public Safety
Majority’s assault on law enforcement
We’ve just started the eighth week of the legislative session. We are still keeping a busy pace, with several days continuing well into the evening as we take votes on a variety of bills. Many of the measures passed so far are worthwhile and reflect the needs of our state....
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House approves Padden bill to compensate parents of crime victims who are minors
On Thursday the House of Representatives voted 97-0 to approve Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to allow a parent of a minor child who is the victim of a crime to receive benefits under the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program. “This bill is about providing parents with some relief when their lives...
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Senate endorses Padden measure upping penalty for unlawfully dumping human remains
Today the Senate voted 48-0 to pass Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to increase the penalty for unlawful disposal of a human body or human body parts. “This was one of those times where the punishment just didn’t fit the crime,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “Currently, someone who dismembers and destroys...
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Padden bill to help crime victims passed by the Senate
Today the Senate unanimously voted to approve Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to allow a parent of a minor child who is the victim of a crime to receive benefits under the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program. “There really is no amount of money that can make up for damage done to...
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Message to Olympia: Stop ignoring the people!
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...
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Senate Republicans offer comprehensive Corrections reforms, would increase safety and accountability
Forward-looking approach aims to head off problems before they occur Ongoing problems at the scandal-plagued state Department of Corrections are prompting a trio of Senate Republicans to introduce a package of sweeping reforms to address what they call a costly and fatal record of mismanagement. Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley,...
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Inmate-health scandal at Corrections more evidence of Inslee leadership failure, say GOP senators
Padden will propose expanded package of reforms in 2020 session As yet another major scandal rocks the state Department of Corrections, Senate Republicans who have been urging sweeping reforms for the agency since 2016 say enough is enough, and it’s far past time that Gov. Jay Inslee show some leadership...
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Accused rapist puts new sanctuary state law under the microscope
Last week, Brandi Kruse, a reporter for Seattle’s Fox Q13, tweeted: “If you’re an elected leader in our state who fought for sanctuary policies, be willing to step up and answer the hard questions when those policies hurt people. Not shirk away as if one woman’s pain and suffering is...
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Podcast: Senator Mike Padden on longer “look-backs” for DUIs
Sen. Mike Padden wants the courts to be able to consider previous DUI convictions over a longer period of time – as long as 25 years.
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