Mike Padden

Treasurer Baumgartner announced last month that he would exercise his authority during a state of emergency found in RCW 84.56.020(10) to grant an extension of the first half property tax deadline. The first half 2020 property tax payment deadline in Spokane County will be extended from April 30th to June 15th. Important...

Today Gov. Jay Inslee signed Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to allow a parent of a minor child who is the victim of a crime to receive benefits under the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program. The measure passed both the state House and Senate unanimously earlier this year. “I am glad that...

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,...

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...

On Thursday the House of Representatives voted 97-0 to approve Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to allow a parent of a minor child who is the victim of a crime to receive benefits under the Crime Victims’ Compensation Program. “This bill is about providing parents with some relief when their lives...

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...

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...

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...

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...