January 28, 2021

Legislature must take chronically impaired drivers off the roads

By SEN. MIKE PADDEN As much as we would love to see an end to impaired driving and with it, the need to keep sponsoring DUI legislation, we unfortunately know there is still much work to be done. Last week the Senate Law and Justice Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill...
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January 27, 2021

Padden bill to remove barriers to condo construction passes Senate

Today the Senate passed Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to help increase the supply of affordable housing by removing barriers to condominium construction. “I am pleased to see such broad bipartisan support for this common-sense measure,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “At a time when many areas of the state are desperate...
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January 26, 2021

Remote testimony should be a tool to help lawmakers listen to the people!

For many years I have been a proponent of harnessing technology to allow people to testify before legislative committees from remote locations – meaning somewhere besides the Capitol itself. It can be a tremendous tool for the public, especially people in eastern Washington. Our years of work to expand the...
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January 22, 2021

Senate committee advances Padden bill to accommodate the hearing-impaired

4th District lawmaker says goal is to educate, not penalize On Thursday, Jan. 21, the Senate Law and Justice Committee approved Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to help people with hearing impairments by increasing the availability of closed captioning on televisions in public places. The committee gave the measure a “do-pass”...
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January 21, 2021

Reopen businesses under Bill 5114

Click here to read at the Gazette. BY SEN. MIKE PADDEN This legislative session, which started Jan. 11, will require you as a resident to work harder than ever to keep our representative democracy…well…representative. Access to democracy is a major topic at the start of this year’s gathering of lawmakers....
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January 21, 2021

Padden continues decade-plus effort to end impaired driving; DUI look-back receives hearing in Senate committee

Today the Senate Law and Justice Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5054, a measure aimed at strengthening the state’s felony DUI law and reducing the pain and suffering faced by the victims of impaired drivers. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, would extend the “look-back” in DUI cases,...
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January 18, 2021

The people’s access to democracy

Access to democracy is a major topic at the start of this year’s legislative session. COVID-related restrictions and extreme security measures are keeping the public away from the Capitol building and legislators. During these unprecedented times it is more important than ever that you stay informed and involved. One way...
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January 12, 2021

Padden bill to increase affordable housing and reduce barriers to condo construction receives hearing in Senate committee

Today the Senate Law and Justice Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5024, a measure to help increase the supply of affordable housing by removing barriers to condominium construction. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley and the lead Republican on the committee. “The committee has long...
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January 08, 2021

Session is here! What you need to know.

Given the restrictions on public participation this year, it will be more important than ever that you stay in touch and communicate directly with our office. That is why I will be maintaining my district office, sending out legislative surveys (like the one below) and encouraging the public to sign...
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