4th District lawmakers support strong investments in capital budget
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...
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Sen. Jeff Wilson joins Senate Freedom Caucus
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...
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Shocking audit findings at ESD
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...
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Legislature approves Padden bill to accommodate the hearing-impaired
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...
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A victory for the culture of life!
Sometimes, the bills that survive the deadlines are not the best indicator of our state’s values – instead, you look at what fails to gain enough support to move forward. An example is the life-affirming defeat of legislation that would have expanded access to assisted suicide in our state. Due...
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House passes Padden Anti-SLAPP legislation
Uniform Public Expression Protection Act would restore critical free-speech protections The House of Representatives voted 97-1 on Friday to approve Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to help protect citizens, whistleblowers and members of the news media from frivolous lawsuits aimed at stifling freedom of speech and the discussion of legitimate public...
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Padden condo-construction bill unanimously approved by House
Measure would reduce barriers to affordable home ownership Today the House of Representatives unanimously passed Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to help increase the supply of affordable housing by removing barriers to condominium construction. “This is tremendous news for both homebuilders and those looking for more affordable homeownership,” said Padden, R-Spokane...
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Legislature unanimously approves Padden bill to expand voting options for cooperative associations
Today the House unanimously passed Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to let members of cooperative associations cast votes electronically. The bill also passed the Senate unanimously in February. “More than a year into the pandemic, many businesses and associations are still having difficulty in safely and regularly meeting to conduct their...
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Government on steroids
State government has never seemed to grow so much, so quickly. Last week, the House and Senate majorities adopted budgets that would spend record amounts of money. Besides draining the rainy-day fund, burning through billions in federal relief dollars, and exhausting enormous budget surpluses, they STILL raise taxes! This is...
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