Public Safety
Democrats making extreme attempt to expand abortion
Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers Jan. 26, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, One of the most controversial measures before this year’s Legislature received a public hearing Tuesday morning in the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee....
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Senate committee passes bill to combat impaired driving
Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers Dec. 19, 2022. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, The Legislature is now in the second week of its 2023 session in Olympia. The focus early in this 105-day session is on committee meetings, where...
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Committee passes Padden bill to combat impaired driving
For the third time in three years, and amidst an increase in traffic fatalities in Washington caused by alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers, an anti-impaired driving bill from 4th District Sen. Mike Padden has been approved by the Senate Law and Justice Committee. Senate Bill 5032 would expand the period for...
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Back in Olympia for start of 2023 legislative session
Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers Dec. 19, 2022. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, The 2023 legislative session is underway. The 105-day session began Monday with the traditional opening-day ceremony in the Senate chamber, in which new or recently reelected...
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Senate Republicans unveil trio of bills to improve public safety
Two members of the Senate Republican Caucus have prefiled bills for the 2023 legislative session that aim to reverse recent criminal-friendly laws passed by Democratic majorities. “One of our main goals this session is to advance bills that will help make people and communities safer in our state,” said Sen....
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Padden to continue as lead Republican on Senate Law and Justice Committee
Sen. Mike Padden will serve another two years as the ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee. Senate committee assignments were released today, five weeks before lawmakers convene at the Capitol for their next session. “Having served on the Law and Justice Committee since becoming a senator in...
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Alarming statistics make case for property-crime crackdown, Padden says
As vehicle thefts double and property crimes spike, Spokane Valley senator proposes course correction on public safety, including longer sentences for habitual offenders OLYMPIA – The rate of car theft has nearly doubled in the past year, according to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and Sen. Mike...
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Senate Republicans push police use-of-force reform across the finish line
Last year, the Democrat-led majority in the Washington State Legislature pushed a police-reform agenda that many in the public and law enforcement have argued is proving to be unworkable and dangerous. Law-enforcement agencies across the state have spoken out on how the new laws are making it difficult and, in...
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Padden bill to protect first responders passed by Senate
Today, as the Senate wrapped up its work for the year on Senate-sponsored legislation, it gave its approval to a measure sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden that would make it a crime to interfere with a firefighter or emergency medical services provider in the performance of their duty. “I was...
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