Mike Padden

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...

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...

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...

OLYMPIA… Since Gov. Jay Inslee announced renewed masking requirements and vaccination mandates, legislative offices have been flooded with messages in strong opposition. The Freedom Caucus is backing a resolution for a historic legislative special session that would cover key policy areas being voiced by their constituents: Public safety; Emergency-powers reform;...

Washington state employees, contractors and healthcare workers must be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by Oct. 18 or risk being fired, according to an announcement made by Gov. Jay Inslee today. In mandating the shots, and allowing limited exemptions only for medical or religious grounds, Inslee is following the lead...

One of the big issues we face is dealing with the ramifications of the majority’s war on law enforcement, and the impact it is already having on the safety of our communities. As we mentioned in the previous Report from Olympia, time is running out if you wish to opt...

Padden calls decision a ‘significant victory’ for advocates of religious liberty A controversial Washington law requiring private-insurance plans that provide maternity coverage to also pay for elective abortions received a major blow last week when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled that a Seattle-area church was...

Washington residents must enroll in private insurance by Nov. 1 to escape new payroll tax Dear friends and neighbors, A new payroll tax for a state long-term care insurance program will soon go into effect, the result of legislation approved by the Legislature’s majority party. I strongly opposed this new...

One of the other challenges we have is making sure that there is much-needed oversight of the executive branch. Despite plans to reopen the state no later than June 30, the governor still refuses to relinquish his unilateral control by ending the state of emergency. Some agencies, such as the...