State Government, Veterans Affairs & Elections

March 30, 2023

Governor signs Padden bill raising penalties for sexually abusive jail guards

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers March 30, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, I am pleased that my public safety bill that imposes longer sentences on sexually abusive jail and prison guards was signed today by Governor Inslee...
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March 30, 2023

Governor signs Padden bill raising penalty for custodial sexual misconduct

A bipartisan bill, sponsored by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden, that aims to impose longer sentences on sexually abusive jail and prison guards was signed today by Gov. Jay Inslee after receiving unanimous approval by the Legislature this session. The law created by Senate Bill 5033 reclassifies the crime of...
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March 23, 2023

Thanks to everyone who took part in telephone town hall!

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers March 23, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. I held a telephone town hall that this past Monday night, when it was certain I would not be interrupting those who are once again following our local Gonzaga...
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March 22, 2023

Legislature passes Padden bill raising penalty for custodial sexual misconduct

A bipartisan bill that aims to impose longer sentences on sexually abusive jail and prison guards is headed to the governor after being unanimously passed today by the House of Representatives. Senate Bill 5033 would reclassify the crime of first-degree custodial sexual misconduct (in which the corrections officer has sexual...
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March 22, 2023

Senate’s proposed capital budget funds several 4th District projects, says Padden

Sen. Mike Padden appreciates that the Senate’s proposed two-year state capital budget, released Monday, includes several projects in the 4th Legislative District and allows district residents to see their tax dollars help their local communities. “Just about everything I requested is included in the Senate’s capital budget proposal, so I’m...
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March 16, 2023

Padden to hold 4th District telephone town hall Monday, March 20

State Sen. Mike Padden is inviting 4th Legislative District residents to take part in a telephone town hall on Monday, March 20, from 6 to 7 p.m. Invitations to participate will go out just ahead of time via automated phone calls throughout the district, which includes Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake...
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March 10, 2023

Bills passed by Senate don’t go far enough to combat drugs, allow police to pursue suspects

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers March 10, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. The Senate just passed a milestone for the 2023 legislative session. Wednesday was the “floor cutoff,” the last day for the Senate to vote on Senate bills, except measures...
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March 08, 2023

For third consecutive year, Senate passes Padden bill to combat impaired driving

Following a 20-year high in traffic deaths in Washington, the Senate today again approved an anti-impaired driving bill sponsored by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden. Senate Bill 5032, which was passed 48-1, would expand the period for reviewing prior convictions of impaired driving to 15 years, from the 10 years...
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March 04, 2023

Padden statement on Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 5536

The Senate last night voted 28-21 to pass Senate Bill 5536, which aims to provide a long-term solution to the state’s drug laws after the state Supreme Court overturned the state’s drug-possession law in 2021. The bill declares that possession of fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine would be charged as...
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