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....

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...

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...

As we approach Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas, we are reminded of the importance of family, faith and thankfulness for all the blessings in our lives. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity you have given me to be your voice in the Senate. In even-numbered years, like 2016, the legislative...

Members of the Majority Coalition Caucus have announced that Spokane Valley Sen. Mike Padden will continue to serve as chairman of the Law and Justice Committee, which deals with civil and criminal law and will assume responsibility for corrections issues. “In the last two years, the Senate Law and Justice...

Two Spokane-area residents are working at the Capitol during the 2014 legislative session as members of Sen. Mike Padden’s legislative team. Daniel Zapotocky is Padden’s aide for this year’s session; as a Gonzaga University student he had served an internship with another Eastern Washington senator in 2012. Daniel Condon, an...

Washington State’s 4th District Senator, Mike Padden, Chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, talks about a bill requiring parents to be notified when their juvenile child has an abortion. This on the same day that thousands gathered on the capitol steps in Olympia for the annual March for...

Today State Senator Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, joined Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause, ESD Spokane Area Director John Dickson and John Lee, director of the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs, in recognizing Haskins Steel general manager Craig Dias, who was awarded the “Hire-A-Vet Award” for the company’s stellar record of...

  State Senator Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, joined Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause, ESD Spokane Area Director John Dickson and John Lee, director of the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs, in recognizing Haskins Steel general manager Craig Dias, who was awarded the “Hire-A-Vet Award” for the company’s stellar record of...