Much work undone — No action on seven of 12 recommendations made by Senate investigation OLYMPIA – A year after the Senate Law and Justice Committee completed an investigation of one of the worst cases of mismanagement in Washington state history, a Senate work session this week has called attention...

OLYMPIA – A last-minute House decision to kill a crucial Department of Corrections reform bill just as the Legislature was preparing to leave town June 30 is prompting Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, to call on Gov. Jay Inslee to publicly declare his support for the measure. “Now, more than...

The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, July 6, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Legislature OK’s budget, but overtime continues Dear friends and neighbors, Last week was an important one for the Washington Legislature – but our session isn’t over...

Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, released the following statement after the Senate’s final vote Friday on the 2017-19 operating budget. Padden was the only member of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus to vote against the $43.7 billion budget agreement. The budget bill, SB 5883, was approved in the Senate by...

The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, June 29, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. High drama in Legislature’s final days Dear friends and neighbors, After months of work, negotiators for the Senate and the House announced Wednesday they have reached...

The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, June 22, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here.  Stay tuned as Legislature works on session-ending deal Dear friends and neighbors, The Legislature’s biggest drama continues to play out behind closed doors as negotiators for...

The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, June 15, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Hirst fix passes Senate for third time Dear friends and neighbors, Work is continuing at the statehouse as we negotiate a final deal on the state...

OLYMPIA – Over-the-top student protests, vandalism, threats of violence, and other public safety concerns are prompting an inquiry by the Senate Law and Justice Committee into recent events at The Evergreen State College in Olympia. The committee will hold a work session on campus safety Tuesday at 1 p.m. in...

OLYMPIA – A new version of this year’s Department of Corrections reform bill will be heard in the Senate Law and Justice Committee Tuesday, as Chair Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, seeks middle ground on one of the session’s biggest issues. The new version of Senate Bill 5294, sponsored by Padden,...