Padden crimes-against-minors bill heads to governor’s desk OLYMPIA – Washington lawmakers Thursday passed a bill eliminating a line of defense in human trafficking prosecutions: “I didn’t know how old she was.” Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said his crimes-against-minors bill makes it easier for prosecutors to seek longer sentences when...

The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, April 6, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, Most of us – if not all – were disappointed Monday night when the Gonzaga Bulldogs narrowly lost to North Carolina for...

The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, March 30, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, During these final weeks of our regular legislative session, House and Senate committees have been busy. House policy committees had until Wednesday to...

OLYMPIA — The Senate Law and Justice Committee will hold a work session Tuesday, March 28, on litigation concerning the 2014 Oso mudslide disaster. The state attorney general’s office is scheduled to make a presentation during the 10 a.m. Law and Justice meeting regarding lawsuits and settlements in the case....

 The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, March 23, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, We’ve begun the final month of our regular session, when the budget becomes the top issue for the Washington Legislature. During the...

Human trafficking, sovereign immunity measures also on tap OLYMPIA – Two important DUI bills get hearings this week as the Legislature enters the 11th week of its 15-week regular legislative session. A measure making the 4th DUI a felony in Washington state will be heard in the House Public Safety...

 The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, March 16, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, Now that bill-passage deadlines in the Senate and House have passed, we finally have a chance to catch our breath and discuss broader public-policy...

 The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, March 9, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, Last year we saw huge controversy when an investigation of the Department of Corrections was launched by the Senate Law and Justice Committee, which...

OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate voted unanimously Monday for a bill that makes sweeping reforms to the Department of Corrections in the wake of last year’s early-release scandal. Senate Bill 5294, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, enacts recommendations made by the Senate Law and Justice Committee last year...