What we face in the 2018 Session
The 2018 session is underway, and although we have only been in Olympia for a few days, I have much to share with you. Already lawmakers have started work on issues that affect both our state and our district, from addressing the ability of rural property owners to develop and...
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New year to bring new challenges and opportunities
Dear Friends and Neighbors, I hope that you and your family enjoyed a very peaceful and joyous Christmas celebration, and are ready to welcome in the new year. As 2018 rapidly approaches, so too does the start of the new legislative session in Olympia. Like every session, this year will...
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Battle lines being redrawn for 2018 as Senate control changes
The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, Nov. 27, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, Six weeks from now, we will begin a legislative session in which Democrats have control of the House, the Senate and the...
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Padden named ranking member on Senate Law and Justice Committee
OLYMPIA – Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, has been named ranking minority member on the Senate Law and Justice Committee as this month’s election forces reorganization of the Senate. The ranking minority position is the top Republican slot on the Law and Justice Committee, which Padden has chaired for the...
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Veterans’ Day celebration set; control of Senate shifts
The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, Nov. 9, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, We have plenty of news to report this week. A Veteran’s Day celebration has been set for Felt’s Field, a key member...
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Uproar as Senate investigation points finger at transit agency
The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, Oct. 30, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Spokane Valley mayor Rod Higgins welcomes the Senate Law and Justice Committee Oct. 24 to a meeting at the new Spokane Valley City Hall. This hearing will be aired on...
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Sound Transit deceived lawmakers, public on ST3, violated constitution, Senate investigation finds
Read executive summary here: ST-ExecSumLtrPaddenOBan OLYMPIA – Sound Transit misled lawmakers and voters in its effort to pass a $54 billion bond issue last year, concealing truth from decision-makers and violating the state constitution in the process, a Senate investigation has concluded. The Seattle-area rail transit agency won voter approval...
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Driver’s license headaches ahead; transit agency on hot seat
The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, Oct. 17, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. At a Senate Law and Justice Committee investigative hearing in Everett, Sound Transit officials face tough questions about the use of public resources in last...
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Senate probe of transit debacle raises issues for entire state
The following newsletter was sent to subscribers to Sen. Padden’s Report From Olympia, Oct. 5, 2017. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Sound Transit officials get a grilling at the Senate Law and Justice Committee’s first investigative hearing in Kent Sept. 26. Government and Community Relations Director Ann...
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