A lingering stink regarding judicial fairness
March 03, 2015
Last year there was a furor when it appeared the staff of the Office of Insurance Commissioner leaned on a judge in order to obtain favorable decisions. This rather troubling situation was possible because the judge in question, Patricia Petersen, was employed by the Insurance Commissioner’s office. But here’s the... Read More...
Senate approves Padden bill to increase judicial independence
March 02, 2015
Today the Senate approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden aimed at increasing the independence of the state’s administrative-law judges by limiting the ability of state-agency heads to add undue pressure or retribution during administrative hearings. “I was a district court judge for 12 years,” said Padden, who chairs... Read More...
Senate budget committee backs Padden’s felony-DUI bill
February 27, 2015
Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to make a fourth DUI conviction in 10 years a felony is one step closer to Senate passage, after receiving a “do-pass” recommendation from the Senate’s Ways and Means committee today. “We heard from the family of Russell Bartlett, a wonderful man who volunteered at hospices,... Read More...
Senate approves Padden bill to update mental-evaluation law
February 24, 2015
Today the Senate approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden that would allow courts to order a mental evaluation of an offender, even if the Department of Corrections does not file a presentence report. While such reports are required, they are no longer routinely prepared by DOC. “One of... Read More...
Report from Olympia — Feb. 20, 2015
February 20, 2015
With legislative deadlines looming, this week the pace of work picked up significantly. But there is always time to meet with friends from the district who stop by to discuss their views on legislation or even to just say hello…. On Wednesday, Tim Knue with the Washington Association for Career... Read More...
Padden continues work to end human trafficking
February 16, 2015
Saying that there is still work to be done, today Sen. Mike Padden oversaw the Senate Law and Justice Committee’s review of several bills aimed at addressing human trafficking. “The Washington State Legislature has an excellent history of dealing with the issue of human trafficking,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley and... Read More...
Fourth District lawmakers to host telephone town hall Feb. 24
February 16, 2015
Fourth Legislative District residents are encouraged to participate in an upcoming telephone town hall hosted by their legislators: Sen. Mike Padden and Reps. Matt Shea and Bob McCaslin. The hour-long community conversation will take place Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. On the evening of the telephone town hall, participants... Read More...
Report from Olympia — Feb. 13, 2015
February 13, 2015
On Monday, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee will hold a hearing on my bill to help keep the cost of residential construction low and housing more affordable. Senate Bill 5759 requires that distinct “prevailing wage” rates be calculated and paid to workers employed in residential construction. SB 5759 emerged... Read More...
Padden bill to help new small businesses clears Senate panel
February 12, 2015
On Wednesday, a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden that would provide tax relief for Washington’s new small businesses was approved by the Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee. “We know that the first three years are the most critical to a small business being able to survive,” said Padden,... Read More...
Report from Olympia — Feb. 6, 2015
February 06, 2015
It’s hard to believe we’re already into February, and that four weeks of the 2015 legislative session are almost behind us. This week the Legislature began delving into some big issues like responding to the governor’s cap-and-tax plan and helping our veterans find jobs. …Also this week, the Washington Council... Read More...