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February 24, 2016

Why the Legislature needs its own investigation of corrections case

This op-ed originally appeared online in the Seattle Times, Feb. 23, 2016, and in printed editions Feb. 24. Two people, Cesar Medina and Lindsey Hill, are dead. We hope the governor will find our inquiry helpful. By Mike Padden, Steve O’Ban JUST before Christmas, the governor’s office revealed a shocking...
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February 22, 2016

Senate begins formal hearings on Corrections fiasco, releases thousands of documents

OLYMPIA – The Senate Law and Justice Committee marked the start of formal hearings Monday regarding the Department of Corrections by releasing thousands of pages of documents that have been generated by subpoenas and a legislative effort to reach out to agency employees. Documents were released at a Monday-morning news...
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February 19, 2016

Padden bill helps assure water for growing Spokane Valley communities

OLYMPIA – Fast-growing communities of the Spokane Valley will have greater assurance of an adequate water supply under a bill that cleared the Senate Wednesday, 27-21. Senate Bill 6215, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, allows certain legacy irrigation water rights to be approved for municipal water systems. The...
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February 16, 2016

Washington Senate pays tribute to late Justice Antonin Scalia

OLYMPIA – The Washington state Senate paid tribute Tuesday to the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, passing a resolution describing him as “one of the most transformational Supreme Court justices our country has ever witnessed.” The resolution, sponsored by state Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, recalled Scalia as a...
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February 12, 2016

People should decide on two-thirds rule, Padden says

OLYMPIA — State Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, expressed disappointment Friday following a Senate vote rejecting a two-thirds-for-taxes constitutional amendment. Senate Joint Resolution 8211 would have given Washington voters a chance to vote on a two-thirds-for-taxes constitutional amendment. The rule would require a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate...
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February 11, 2016

Management crises take center stage at Capitol

This newsletter was distributed to Sen. Mike Padden’s subscribers on Feb. 11, 2016. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Friends and neighbors, This has been a busy time at the Capitol. Some of it is the ordinary business of a legislative session, as action moves to the House...
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February 06, 2016

Padden: Pacholke resignation will not deter Senate investigation of DOC

OLYMPIA…In response to Saturday’s announcement that Sec. Dan Pacholke of the Department of Corrections has resigned, Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, issued the following statement: “Secretary Pacholke resigned for his own reasons. The accusation of a blood-thirsty investigation is clearly an attempt...
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February 05, 2016

Senate panel passes ban on sex-selection abortions

OLYMPIA – A bill banning abortions for sex-selection purposes cleared the Senate Law and Justice Committee Wednesday night and awaits action in the Senate Rules Committee. Calling the practice a true “war on women,” Law and Justice Chair Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said the bill offers a needed protection for...
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January 29, 2016

Corrections, water for Spokane Valley emerge as major topics

This newsletter was distributed to Sen. Mike Padden’s subscribers. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Sens. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, and Steve O’Ban, R-Pierce County, discuss the Department of Corrections scandal on TVW’s ‘The Impact.’ Click here to see the newscast. Dear friends and neighbors, We are nearly...
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