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August 27, 2019

It’s coming soon. Are you ready?

It’s amazing how quickly the summer flew by. Back-to-school preparations are in full swing, vacations are wrapping up and the Labor Day weekend is days away. I hope you and your family have had a great summer and are ready for a busy and fun autumn. I also want you...
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July 17, 2019

Predictable problems in rush for same-day voter registration

The past few weeks have been busy ones for me. In addition to the normal summer activities of celebrating freedom, going on vacation, and attending family functions, work continues on representing our community on legislative committees, task forces and other meetings, as well as discussing issues important to our district...
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May 02, 2019

Session ends — new taxes and bigger government headed your way

The following newsletter was sent to Sen. Mike Padden’s subscribers May 2, 2019. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. At midnight Sunday in the Senate, crowds await the final gavel ending the 2019 legislative session. New taxes and bigger government headed your way Session ends, and long-ranging problems can be...
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April 29, 2019

Senator dismayed by failure of DUI bill, will try again

OLYMPIA – Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, says he will try again next year to pass a bill that would send more repeat impaired drivers to prison, after a disappointing failure in the final hours of the 2019 legislative session. House Bill 1504 would have extended the “look-back” in DUI...
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April 28, 2019

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...
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April 25, 2019

Taxes? Immunizations? Sanctuary state? Big issues in doubt in Olympia

The following newsletter was sent to Sen. Mike Padden’s subscribers April 25, 2019. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Busy floor sessions are commonplace as the Legislature heads toward adjournment. Waiting for a deal as Legislature’s adjournment nears Legislature due to adjourn Sunday, but major issues, DUI bill...
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April 22, 2019

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...
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April 19, 2019

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...
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April 19, 2019

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....
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