Mike Padden

It has been nearly two months since the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in the Janus case, declaring that it is unconstitutional to force public workers to pay union fees. But a lack of communication has many wondering whether Governor Inslee and his administration are dragging their feet on...

The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, July 31, 2018. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here.   In heat of summer, issues simmer Taxes, court cases, and immigration occupy attention during ‘slow season’ Dear friends and neighbors, All of us can agree this is...

OLYMPIA…Leaders of last year’s state Senate investigation into Sound Transit Wednesday submitted an amicus (or “friend of the court”) brief in a class-action lawsuit filed against the regional transit authority in June. The brief was filed in Pierce County Superior Court by Sen. Steve O’Ban, who called for the 2017...

In this July 19 appearance on the Lars Larson Show, Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, discusses a letter sent by 22 Washington lawmakers opposing the abolition of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

Click here to read the letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen. OLYMPIA – Twenty-two Washington lawmakers are declaring opposition to abolition of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), countering calls from congressional liberals for its elimination. The legislators released a letter Monday expressing support for the agency’s...

 The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, July 10, 2018. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, I hope you enjoyed an enjoyable and safe Independence Day celebration. This is the season for barbeques, celebrations, family reunions, road trips, parties and vacations. Yet...

Sen. Mike Padden among those making legal challenge, says ‘process matters’ Today, plaintiffs in the case of Eyman v. Wyman argued before the Washington Supreme Court that the Legislature’s handling of Initiative 940 disregarded the state constitution because the initiative, which deals with police use of deadly force, was altered...

The Legislature is now deep into its interim – the period between legislative sessions, when activities at the Capitol slow considerably and lawmakers spend the majority of their time back in their home districts… While the pace of our state’s legislative branch has slowed for now, the judiciary branch –...

OLYMPIA – A first-degree murder conviction Thursday in Spokane for a killer released early from prison calls attention to the fact that critically important reforms to the state Department of Corrections have not yet been implemented, says Sen. Mike Padden, ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee. More...