Padden bill banning organ-transplant discrimination signed into law
May 08, 2019
Today Sen. Mike Padden’s anti-discrimination legislation to protect people with developmental disabilities who are seeking organ transplants was signed into law. Substitute Senate Bill 5405 cleared the Legislature on April 24 with unanimous support. “I am pleased that Washington has spoken clearly, with one voice, that all lives have value,”... Read More...
Session ends — new taxes and bigger government headed your way
May 02, 2019
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... Read More...
Senator dismayed by failure of DUI bill, will try again
April 29, 2019
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... Read More...
Taxes? Immunizations? Sanctuary state? Big issues in doubt in Olympia
April 25, 2019
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... Read More...
Legislature passes Padden bill banning organ-transplant discrimination
April 22, 2019
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
April 19, 2019
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
April 19, 2019
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...
Saving the worst for last in Olympia
April 18, 2019
The following newsletters was sent to Sen. Mike Padden’s subscribers on April 18, 2019. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Saving the worst for last in the Washington Legislature Big tax increases, controversial measures await action in the next 10 days Dear Friends and Neighbors, We’re in the... Read More...
Senate passes DUI bill, extends ‘look-back’ in sentencing
April 17, 2019
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...