Mike Padden

OLYMPIA – Majority members of the Senate Law and Justice Committee Thursday announced plans for the panel’s investigation of the Department of Corrections, including appointment of an attorney and an effort to seek insight from current and former agency employees. To oversee the independent legislative investigation the Senate is hiring...

OLYMPIA – The Senate Rules Committee Jan. 19 will consider a request from the Senate Law and Justice Committee for a pair of subpoenas in its investigation of the state Department of Corrections. The meeting is set for 5:45 p.m. in the Senate Rules Room, 220A Legislative Building. The Law...

This newsletter was distributed to Sen. Mike Padden’s subscribers on Jan. 14, 2016. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletters, click here. Dear friends and neighbors, We had plenty of drama this week as we opened the 2016 legislative session. And it just goes to show things get faster when there...

OLYMPIA – The Senate Law and Justice Committee will seek subpoena power to conduct its own inquiry into a management failure at the Department of Corrections that turned loose thousands of prisoners before their scheduled release dates and likely caused the deaths of at least two people. Senate Law and...

A hearing on the opening day of the 2016 legislative session will put the spotlight on a management failure at the state Department of Corrections that caused thousands of prisoners to be released ahead of schedule. The Senate Law and Justice Committee hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 11...

Law and Justice Committee Chair to hold hearing on 3,200 felons prematurely released Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, today voiced outrage over the lack of leadership and accountability at the Department of Corrections, after the governor’s office announced that the DOC had erred in calculating the release time of several...

Dear Friends and Neighbors, This is the last Report from Olympia you will receive in 2015. Due to election-year restrictions, I am not permitted to send out my e-newsletter until the 2016 regular legislative session begins on Jan. 11. Even then, I can only send these updates to those who...

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has again named state Sen. Mike Padden “Legislator of the Year” for his continuing effort to toughen Washington laws against driving under the influence. The national-level award goes to lawmakers in each state who have demonstrated leadership on the issue. Padden, R-Spokane Valley, is one of...

As we approach Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas, we are reminded of the importance of family, faith and thankfulness for all the blessings in our lives. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity you have given me to be your voice in the Senate. In even-numbered years, like 2016, the legislative...