Report from Olympia

A horrifying case shows result of attack on public safety
October 05, 2022
Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers Oct. 5, 2022. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Habitual criminal got life-without-parole after bloody car crash, now eligible for release Dear friends and neighbors, Last week we saw what happens when the Legislature makes a point of... Read More...
Our state should follow Idaho’s lead and provide tax relief
September 01, 2022
State needs fair oversight of prison complaints [Note– The following newsletter was sent to Sen. Mike Padden’s subscribers Sept. 1, 2022.] Dear Friends and Neighbors, This year has been a very difficult time for people throughout Washington and our nation. Record-setting inflation –  especially sky-high gas prices – has made... Read More...
New crime stats show terrible result of Olympia’s anti-police crusade
August 10, 2022
 Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers Aug. 10, 2022. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s e-newsletter, click here. Dear Friends and Neighbors, We’ve just gotten new statistics for crime in Washington state, and the numbers are chilling. During 2021, we saw increases in all forms of violent... Read More...
Take the 4th District Constituent Survey
May 09, 2022
With the 2022 legislative session now well in the rear-view mirror, it is time to review laws that were passed and begin preparations for bills to introduce next year. This is also the ideal time to hear directly from you. Please click here to take our 2022 constituent survey, and... Read More...
Crime and inflation both on the rise
April 14, 2022
It’s been about a month since we wrapped up the 2022 legislative session, and a good point to step back and look at the impact this session had on you and your family. Soon, you should expect to see our full 4th District Session Review newsletter in your mail. It... Read More...
The end is near…
March 10, 2022
The end is near. If all goes as planned the regular 2022 legislative session will reach its scheduled conclusion later today. In 1866, as Surrogate of New York County, Gideon John Tucker famously wrote: “No man’s life, liberty or property is safe while the Legislature is in session.” Well, soon... Read More...
Where’s the emergency, Governor?
March 03, 2022
The 2022 session train keeps chugging along, and the end of the line is in sight. We have exactly one week to go until the scheduled end of this year’s regular session. Tomorrow is the final cut-off deadline to approve bills that originated in the House of Representatives, and for... Read More...
Budget week in Olympia
February 25, 2022
As we enter the homestretch of the 2022 legislative session, it’s budget week in Olympia. In odd-numbered years, the Legislature is required to create and pass three budgets: an operating budget, a transportation budget, and a capital budget. In the even-numbered years, like this one, lawmakers use the short session... Read More...
Survivor Olympia… which bills have survived the voting deadline
February 17, 2022
As we wrap up the sixth week of this 2022 legislative session, we have now passed the “cutoff” for Senate policy bills to move forward from the Senate, and likewise for bills in the House of Representatives. The good news: Some really good Senate bills survived the voting deadline and... Read More...