March 06, 2012

Legislature approves Padden-backed bill to let Lions Clubs and other charities provide free glasses, hearing aids

Sen. Mike Padden today applauded the Legislature for approving a measure to shield, against civil lawsuits, charitable organizations working to provide much-needed eyewear and hearing aids to poor, homeless and uninsured people. The House voted 98-0 yesterday to approve his rewrite of House Bill 2261. The bill’s language is now...
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March 03, 2012

Spokane Republicans vote to approve sustainable bipartisan budget

Baumgartner and Padden join bipartisan coalition to dump budget gimmicks and keep spending in line with revenue Early this morning, the Washington State Senate approved its operating budget with a bipartisan vote of 25 to 24, with three Democrats joining all 22 Republican members. The bipartisan reform-based plan rebalances the...
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February 28, 2012

Padden recognizes local finalist for civic teacher of the year award

On Monday Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, honored West Valley School District teacher Ned Fadeley, a top finalist for the Washington State Legislative Civic Educator of the Year Award.  Padden presented Fadeley with a certificate recognizing his hard work and achievement, while many of Fadeley’s students who were able to...
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February 22, 2012

Hearing on controversial abortion-mandate bill set for this afternoon

Padden says bill is ‘unnecessary, unconstitutional and could prove costly for state’ The Senate Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing at 3:30 p.m. today on House Bill 2330, a controversial measure that would require private-insurance plans which provide maternity coverage to also pay for elective abortions. “Proponents...
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February 09, 2012

Senate passes Padden bill to support free eyeglasses for the poor

Calling it simply the “right thing to do,” Sen. Mike Padden today applauded the Senate’s passage of his bill to give legal protection to charitable organizations that are working to provide much-needed eyeglasses to our state’s poor, homeless and uninsured. “I am glad to see such broad support for this...
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February 08, 2012

Padden to hold telephone town-hall meeting with 4th District residents

Hour-long community event begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 State Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, is inviting residents of the 4th Legislative District to participate in a telephone town-hall meeting Wednesday, Feb. 15. The live community forum regarding the 2012 legislative session and issues that directly impact eastern Washington...
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February 02, 2012

Padden B&O tax relief bill clears Senate committee

The Senate Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee on Wednesday gave a “do pass” recommendation to a bill introduced by Sen. Mike Padden that would bring much needed relief to new businesses. Senate Bill 6327 would create a one-year exemption from the state business and occupation (B&O) tax for all...
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February 01, 2012

Padden votes against Senate bill to redefine marriage, offers amendments to protect religious liberty

The Senate tonight, by a vote of 28 to 21, passed Senate Bill 6239, a measure that would redefine marriage in Washington to include relationships between same-sex couples. Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, voted against the bill, and offered this statement: “Marriage...
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January 30, 2012

Padden bill to suspend B&O tax for startups heard in key committee

Relief measure could benefit 90,000 businesses over the next four years Washington’s business and occupation (B&O) tax is widely regarded as one of the most onerous and punitive taxes that new and small businesses face. Spokane Valley Republican Sen. Mike Padden is now taking aim at this leading cause of...
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