News - Mike Padden

Here we go again… Legislature begins (mostly) remote 2022 session

January 18, 2022

We’ve completed the first week of the 2022 legislative session. It’s already been an eventful start, with many challenges and achievements. As the Omicron variant continues to spread, the majority party has once again mandated a remote session, with highly restricted attendance by lawmakers and members of the public. While... Read More...

Republican legislators prioritize policing, public safety, and corrections in ‘Safe Washington’ Plan

January 05, 2022

Washington state House and Senate Republicans today unveiled their common-sense solutions to the public safety crisis ravaging communities and destroying lives across the state. “During the last legislative session, the majority dropped the ball on public safety,” said Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, ranking member of the Senate Law and... Read More...

This Christmas, taxpayers deserve a break

December 15, 2021

This will be my final Report from Olympia for 2021, so allow me to take a moment to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. One unwanted gift this year is the rising cost of almost everything from gas to food and gifts of all... Read More...

Sen. Mike Padden issues statement following oral arguments in watershed abortion case

December 01, 2021

Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, released the following statement in response to oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The challenge to a Mississippi law restricting abortion after the 15th week of pregnancy could allow the Supreme Court to overturn previous decisions... Read More...

Thanks to our veterans

November 10, 2021

With Veterans Day being tomorrow, I wanted to begin this Report from Olympia by honoring those to whom we owe our freedom: the brave men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. Between the chaotic finish to the Afghanistan war – America’s longest war – and... Read More...

As thousands fired under Inslee decree, Senate Freedom Caucus calls on governor to resign

October 19, 2021

Mass-termination event is last straw — senators cite failure of leadership Thousands of state employees get ax under Inslee vaccination mandate Follows nearly 600 days of autocratic decisions in ‘emergency’ that never ends Ferries on reduced schedule due to severe staffing shortage, other impacts expected Governor has ignored Legislature, shut... Read More...

Some treats among the tricks… Not all scary news

October 13, 2021

As Halloween rapidly approaches, there will be plenty of tricks and treats. I hope it is a safe and enjoyable time for you and your family. While the past year or two have brought lots of frightening news, from COVID and rising suicide rates to inflation and rising fuel costs... Read More...

Alarm bells still ringing at Department of Corrections

September 22, 2021

More than five years ago I stood at a podium before a room full of reporters to announce the findings of a detailed Senate investigation into systematic failures at the Department of Corrections, and what could be done to fix them. A lot can change in 5 years, but apparently... Read More...

Senate report sounds alarm about effort to empty prisons, return felons to the street

September 15, 2021

With goal of ‘reducing incarceration,’ governor and Legislature create new public safety risks To read report, click here. OLYMPIA – As if new restrictions on law enforcement weren’t enough, an effort by Washington lawmakers to empty prison cells and return convicted felons to the street is creating new public safety... Read More...

State official’s comparison of state legislators to Taliban is ‘hateful,’ Padden says

September 01, 2021

Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, responded this afternoon to remarks made by the state insurance commissioner, in which he declared Republican state legislators in Texas “have become America’s own version of the Taliban” after a new law effectively banning abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected went into effect... Read More...

Senator Mike Padden

4th Legislative District

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