Plan to invest in schools, recreation and job creation; includes funds for Spokane Valley Tech OLYMPIA… Late Tuesday evening the Legislature passed a bipartisan capital budget for 2015-17 that would build more than 500 new K-12 classrooms, make the largest-ever investment in state parks and trails, and devote $60 million...

Today the House of Representatives voted 92-6 to pass a measure sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, aimed at improving public safety by making it more practical for courts to order pretrial drug and alcohol monitoring. “There are often real-world consequences to Supreme Court decisions,” said Padden, who chairs the Senate...

Bills would help permit pretrial drug and alcohol monitoring and give deceased victims of violent crimes a voice in sentencing hearings On Wednesday the Senate passed two measures sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, aimed at improving public safety and increasing justice for crime victims. Both bills were introduced to address...

This post originally appeared in the leadership blog of the Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. Before we wrap up our business for the year and start thinking about the long drive home, a drunk-driving bill awaits our action in the Legislature. Something we need to do before we get behind the wheel. A series...

Tomorrow the Senate Law and Justice Committee will hear testimony on three measures aimed at addressing recent Washington State Supreme Court decisions. COMMITTEE details: Date: Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 17 Time: 1:30 p.m. Location: Senate Hearing Rm. 4, J.A. Cherberg Building, Olympia Public Hearing:  SB 6099 – Appointing a representative for...

This post originally appeared in the leadership blog of the Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. When talk turns to the Voting Rights Act, that old black-and-white news footage starts running through our minds — sit-ins, boycotts and the March on Washington. The federal law of 1965 was one of the most significant bills of the...

Today Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 2140, which creates a law to help families struggling to pay for court-ordered services. The signing caps an effort that began during the 2014 legislative session under the leadership of the late Rep. Roger Freeman, who passed away last October. Before the bill...

Today the Senate Law and Justice Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 6099, a measure to help ensure that deceased crime victims have an advocate at sentencing hearings when there is no one else to speak for them. The bill, known as the Victims’ Voice Act, is sponsored by Sen....

Today Sen. Mike Padden, chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, held a joint work session with the Senate Government Operations and Security Committee to examine concerns that a proposed state version of the Voting Rights Act could increase litigation and costs for local jurisdictions. “The proposed Washington State...