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February 07, 2024

Senators denounce bill to raise property taxes – vote expected Thursday

OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate is poised to approve a bill Thursday that would allow the annual growth in property taxes to triple, flouting the will of Washington voters who approved a cap on property taxes in 2001. Republican senators say they plan to raise stiff opposition when the bill...
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January 08, 2024

The bell rings — 60-day legislative session starts today

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers January 8, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, This year’s legislative session begins today and is scheduled to last 60 days, ending March 7. Today will be highlighted with the traditional opening-day ceremonies...
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December 11, 2023

Legislature must protect signature gatherers from harassment, senators say

Attack on public’s right to circulate initiatives prompts legislation for 2024 session Sens. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, John Braun, R-Centralia, and Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley. OLYMPIA – Lawmakers need to expand protections for initiative campaigns, say Senate Republicans, following an effort to intimidate signature gatherers promoted by the Washington State Democratic...
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October 19, 2023

Padden says new law-enforcement training center will increase public safety

The new law-enforcement training center near Fairchild Air Force Base will boost public safety in Spokane County, says a key legislator on crime issues. State Sen. Mike Padden, the Republican leader on the Senate Law and Justice Committee, will attend and speak at today’s grand-opening ceremony for the new training...
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August 24, 2023

No state worse than WA for jump in drug-overdose deaths

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers Aug. 24, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. Let’s hear it for firefighters, others battling area wildfires Dear friends and neighbors, Over the past week, firefighters and others have heroically battled two wildfires in parts of Spokane...
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July 25, 2023

Washington state becomes national leader – in overdose deaths

Legislature’s two-year experiment with weak, unenforceable laws against hard drugs brings death across the state, say members of Senate Freedom Caucus OLYMPIA – Washington state has become a national leader in drug-overdose deaths, according to new figures from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, and senators say credit goes...
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June 29, 2023

Padden: Repeal unconstitutional laws that interfere with immigration law enforcement

SPOKANE VALLEY…On June 22, Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a notice in a pending federal court case stipulating that Washington cannot enforce the 2021 Democrat-sponsored ban on private prisons and detention centers (RCW 70.395.030). Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, sees the move as justification for repealing...
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April 20, 2023

Senate resolution honors Seattle Mariners on 2022 playoff run

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers April 20, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. It was great to meet with former Seattle Mariners catcher Dan Wilson during his visit to the Capitol this morning.  Dear friends and neighbors, After more than 100 days...
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March 31, 2023

Senate passes Padden bill providing tax exemption for mobility equipment

Motorized wheelchairs and other mobility-improving equipment would become tax-exempt under legislation passed 48-0 today by the Senate. The proposal, Senate Bill 5218, was introduced by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden. “This bill will help people with disabilities by removing the sales tax from motorized wheelchairs or other technological equipment, which...
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