Protecting our rights during the coronavirus crisis
March 26, 2020
Usually after a legislative session, I tell you how good it is to be back home in the district, getting to see all of you face to face for the first time in months at a variety of events. Not so this time. Home means home, as, like all Washingtonians,... Read More...
Standing with Parents
March 11, 2020
If you feel strongly that it is wrong for the state to require schools to begin teaching graphic sex education to children as young as 5 years-old, then contact Governor Inslee to ask him to VETO SB 5395; you can call his office at 360-902-4111 and/or send him an email... Read More...
Brace yourself for the final stretch
March 05, 2020
Hold on to your seats… and your wallets! The legislative session is rounding the curve into the final stretch. We have exactly one week to go in the 2020 regular legislative session. Tomorrow is the final cut-off deadline for the Senate to approve bills that originated in the House of... Read More...
Legislature OK’s Padden bill to ease burden on foster parents
March 04, 2020
A bill making it easier for foster parents to retain their state licenses was approved by the state House Tuesday and heads to the governor’s desk for final consideration. Senate Bill 6500, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, eliminates a requirement that all foster parents provide advance notice before... Read More...
Putting People First? Not so fast!
February 26, 2020
Dear Friends and Neighbors, This week started with all eyes focused on the state budget. On Monday Senate and House Democrat budget writers released their proposed 2020 supplemental budgets. They were rushed into committee hearings hours later, and the Senate budget could come before the full chamber for a vote... Read More...
It’s your money! Why are they taking so much?
February 21, 2020
We’ve just wrapped up an eventful sixth week in this 2020 legislative session. It has left me thinking about one inescapable fact: there has been a lot of bad legislation going through the process this year. Why do I say that? The first reason is the revenue forecast that was... Read More...
Padden bill to get tougher on repeat DUIs passes Senate
February 19, 2020
Today the Senate voted 45-3 to approve Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to extend the “look-back” in DUI cases, allowing courts to consider convictions over the preceding 15 years when preparing to hand down a sentence. Padden urged the House of Representatives to follow the Senate’s lead in protecting citizens from... Read More...