State Government, Veterans Affairs & Elections
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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Thanks to our veterans
With Veterans Day being tomorrow, I wanted to begin this Report from Olympia by honoring those to whom we owe our freedom: the brave men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. Between the chaotic finish to the Afghanistan war – America’s longest war – and...
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Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rules in favor of church challenging Washington state abortion insurance mandate
Padden calls decision a ‘significant victory’ for advocates of religious liberty A controversial Washington law requiring private-insurance plans that provide maternity coverage to also pay for elective abortions received a major blow last week when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that a Seattle-area church was...
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Time to reopen Washington, get students back to school and senators back to Olympia
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are down, vaccinations are up and now is the time to reopen Washington and bring lawmakers back to Olympia, says Sen. Mike Padden. Pointing to technology difficulties during the remote session, the lawmaker on Wednesday attempted to address the matter to his colleagues during a point...
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In the News: ‘Freedom Caucus’ formed by Republican Senators
By Eliana Sheriff, KIMA TV A new freedom movement is shaping up in Olympia. On Thursday, four republican senators announced the formation of a ‘Freedom Caucus.’ Their focus is on liberty. Their priorities are to advocate for lower taxes, responsible state spending, individual liberties and a government that “gets out...
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Reopen businesses under Bill 5114
Click here to read at the Gazette. BY SEN. MIKE PADDEN This legislative session, which started Jan. 11, will require you as a resident to work harder than ever to keep our representative democracy…well…representative. Access to democracy is a major topic at the start of this year’s gathering of lawmakers....
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Governor sued for illegal vetoes
I thank those of you who attended our coffee meetings at Cole’s Coffee this past week. These coffee meetings have been a great way for us to connect and share our thoughts on important issues for our state and our community. Another way to stay up to date on news...
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Padden and Holy applaud new Spokane-area remote-testimony sites
Senate staff confirms newly approved sites to be located at EWU-Cheney and Spokane Valley City Hall Lawmakers today applauded news that the Senate’s remote-testimony pilot project will be expanding to two new sites in Spokane Valley and Cheney. Sen. Mike Padden received confirmation this week from legislative staff that Eastern...
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