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...

The Senate today unanimously passed Senate Bill 5096, a bipartisan proposal introduced by 4th District Sen. Mike Padden that would aid businesses looking to adopt an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) corporate structure. During his floor speech on SB 5096, Padden mentioned the many benefits to employee ownership. “This bill...

Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers Feb. 9, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here. One of the key issues needing legislative action during this year’s session is public safety. In recent years, Washington has seen a disturbing increase in crime, some of it...

A bill from 4th District Sen. Mike Padden that could keep repeat property offenders behind bars longer was approved today by the Senate Law and Justice Committee. Senate Bill 5056 would require that someone who is found to be a habitual property offender to be sentenced to an additional 24...

A grant award announced today puts the city of Spokane Valley $5 million closer to moving ahead with a long-awaited road-improvement effort. Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said the money will ultimately go toward constructing a railroad underpass where BNSF tracks now cross Pines Road (State Route 27). It also...

Robert Jackson was among 3,000 prisoners released in earlier Department of Corrections fiasco OLYMPIA – Resentencing of a man who got life without parole after he killed his girlfriend in a bloody 2015 car crash is a travesty that illustrates the terrible human consequences when the Legislature goes “soft on...

Padden says governor’s endorsement is appreciated, but public safety remains a mess OLYMPIA – A Republican proposal to improve police training statewide appears to be gaining steam in the Washington Legislature as Gov. Jay Inslee prepares for a press conference Thursday to announce his support. Numerous police and sheriff’s officials...

Kenmore incident is fifth in Washington state – senator calls for law enforcement efforts, recognition of free-speech rights OLYMPIA – Crisis pregnancy centers, facing attacks nationwide from elected officials by day and from activists armed with Molotov cocktails by night, deserve the full protection of the law, says Sen. Mike...

OLYMPIA — Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, has been awarded the Guardian of Small Business Award by the National Federation of Independent Business. The 7,000-member organization presents the award every two years based on lawmaker voting records. “Of all the recognitions bestowed on lawmakers for the work they do, the...