Pair of Padden bills signed by governor
May 12, 2021
Measures would reduce barriers to condo construction and help protect free speech In a virtual ceremony today at the state Capitol, Gov. Jay Inslee signed two of Sen. Mike Padden’s measures from the 2021 legislative session. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5024, which cleared both the House and Senate unanimously after... Read More...
Special session coming soon?
May 12, 2021
We continue to see the fallout from the 2021 legislative session that adjourned on April 25. Less than two weeks after leaving Olympia, without addressing the governor’s emergency powers and one-person rule, members of the majority party from Pierce County are lamenting the fact that the governor has wielded his... Read More...
Padden bill to accommodate the hearing-impaired signed by governor
May 10, 2021
Today Gov. Jay Inslee signed Sen. Mike Padden’s legislation to help people with hearing impairments by increasing the availability of closed captioning on televisions in public places. According to Padden, Senate Bill 5027 is about addressing an important issue for the more than 20% of Washingtonians who suffer from some... Read More...
‘We all live in Seattle now!’
April 29, 2021
Conservatives tend to be positive people, trying to see the best in every situation, but the most positive thing that can be said about the 2021 regular legislative session is that it is finally over. Beyond that, the news is not good. While this session clearly reflected the values of... Read More...
Income tax sweeps Senate Freedom Caucus ‘Galloping Gertie’ Awards
April 28, 2021
Awards ceremony honors ‘epic fails’ of 2021 legislative session The new income tax passed by majority Democrats in the Washington Legislature earned top honors in the first annual Galloping Gertie Awards, presented by the Senate Freedom Caucus to honor the biggest fails of the 2021 legislative session. The income tax... Read More...
4th District lawmakers support strong investments in capital budget
April 24, 2021
With the 2021 legislative session winding down, 4th District lawmakers voted in support of a strong, bipartisan 2021-23 capital budget. securing more than $16.8 million in funds for community projects and other infrastructure needs for the region. The $6.3 billion capital spending plan includes a $413 million investment in broadband internet... Read More...
Sen. Jeff Wilson joins Senate Freedom Caucus
April 23, 2021
Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, is joining the Senate Freedom Caucus, the cadre of Washington senators focused on issues of individual liberties, economic growth and restrained, responsible government. “If ever there was a need for a Senate Freedom Caucus, the time is now,” Wilson said. “This year’s legislation presents major threats... Read More...
Shocking audit findings at ESD
April 19, 2021
We received disturbing news from our state auditor’s office last week: its findings in an audit of the state Employment Security Department. It now appears that ESD downplayed the extent of the unemployment-insurance fraud it allowed, and repeatedly failed to properly respond to Washingtonians who needed the agency to deliver... Read More...
Legislature approves Padden bill to accommodate the hearing-impaired
April 14, 2021
Today the Senate voted 48-0 to accept simple changes made by the House of Representatives to Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to help people with hearing impairments by increasing the availability of closed captioning on televisions in public places. The bill, which passed the House unanimously earlier this month, now heads... Read More...