Transportation, capital budgets provide funding for 4th Legislative District projects OLYMPIA – Improvements to I-90 in the eastern Spokane Valley and other public works construction for the 4th Legislative District were among many projects OK’d by lawmakers as they passed capital and transportation budgets Sunday, the final day of the 2019 legislative session. Other appropriations for the 4th District include... Read More...

Legislature passes Padden bill banning organ-transplant discrimination OLYMPIA… The Legislature has unanimously approved Sen. Mike Padden’s anti-discrimination legislation to protect people with developmental disabilities who are seeking organ transplants. Substitute Senate Bill 5405 was passed March 8 by the Senate and April 9 by the House of Representatives. The Senate today voted 42-0 to concur with the... Read More...

Padden school-safety bill signed into law Senate Bill 5514 is signed into law Friday by Gov. Jay Inslee. Left to right, Tim Hunt, director of communications and outreach for the Washington State Catholic Conference, Suzie Hanson, executive director of the Washington Federation of Independent Schools, Catholic Conference government affairs representative Luke Esser, Padden session aide John... Read More...

Padden human-trafficking bill becomes law Measure will aid prosecution of crimes against children At Friday’s bill signing, Gov. Jay Inslee is joined by Padden session intern Dagny Ahrend, Padden session aide John Jourdan, Russ Brown, executive director of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Tim Heffer and wife Meg, representing Shared Hope International, and Sen.... Read More...

Senate passes DUI bill, extends ‘look-back’ in sentencing OLYMPIA – The state Senate Wednesday passed a bill that would extend the ‘look-back’ in DUI cases, allowing courts to consider convictions over the last 15 years during sentencing. The bill now returns to the House for concurrence on amendments. House Bill 1504 would allow more repeat offenders to be... Read More...

New Government Guide issued in 4th Legislative District OLYMPIA — A new government guide has been issued for the 4th Legislative District, and is available through the office of Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley. The guide contains contact information for government agencies and service providers in the Spokane Valley and Spokane County. Copies will be mailed throughout the... Read More...

Legislature passes Padden school-safety bill, protecting students against violent threats OLYMPIA – The state House gave final approval Wednesday to a measure that boosts school safety by requiring law enforcement agencies to notify nearby schools when violent threats occur. Senate Bill 5514, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, requires first responders to inform public and private schools when there... Read More...