Report from Olympia — March 27, 2015
March 27, 2015
There are just four weeks left in the 2015 regular legislative session. Today – day 75 of the 105-day session – the majority party in the House of Representatives finally released its proposed operating budget. I’ll have more information on its proposal in my next update, but the initial news... Read More...
House hearing held on Padden bill protecting private-property rights
March 25, 2015
Today the Washington State House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to protect private-property owners from having their property taken by government and given to a private company for economic-development purposes. The bill also would clarify that issues of blight and economic development are not sufficient... Read More...
Padden bill tackling designer drugs heard in House committee
March 23, 2015
Today the House Commerce and Gaming Committee heard public testimony on a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden that would increase fines for the sale of designer drugs, such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones and methcathinones – commonly referred to as “bath salts.” The measure would also create a civil liability... Read More...
Report from Olympia — March 20, 2015
March 20, 2015
While our work on bills continues, I was reminded this week of why our efforts to pass legislation dealing with human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children are so important. As the Spokesman-Review reports, Spokane County inmates orchestrated sex crimes from their jail cells by arranging prostitution of underage girls.... Read More...
Report from Olympia — March 12, 2015
March 12, 2015
Legislative Update: Key bills gain bipartisan support Yesterday’s ‘house of origin” voting deadline means that several bills have died for the session, but this is a good thing. The deadlines we put in place help to prioritize bills that have statewide significance and broad appeal. They also help identify bills... Read More...
Padden bill protecting private-property rights approved by Senate
March 11, 2015
Today the Senate approved Senate Bill 5363, which would prohibit government’s use of its eminent-domain power for economic development. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, passed the Senate by a vote of 30-19 and now heads to the House of Representatives for its consideration. The term “eminent domain” refers... Read More...
Report from Olympia — March 10, 2015
March 10, 2015
Wednesday, March 11 is the deadline for both the Senate and House to pass their own bills – or they are off the table for the session. Budget-related bills may be considered until the end of the session. At this point in the session, several of the measures I introduced... Read More...