Making the cut
February 16, 2021
In this legislative update I will tell you about some of the bills that survived this deadline, including some of my bills to help those with hearing disabilities, protect the public from repeat drunk drivers, increase affordable housing, address the nursing shortage, reform police use of force and defend the... Read More...
In the News: Dem leaders unwilling to take on Inslee’s COVID proclamations
February 12, 2021
BY KTTH AM 770   Washington state Republican senators recently announced the formation of the Freedom Caucus, which is meant to speak for individual liberties, more restrained government with lower taxes, and strict adherence to the Constitution. It was formed in light of how the COVID-19 shutdowns occurred, and includes founding... Read More...
Senate approves Padden bill to accommodate the hearing-impaired
February 10, 2021
The Senate voted 48-1 today to approve Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to help people with hearing impairments by increasing the availability of closed captioning on televisions in public places. According to Padden, more than 20% of the population has hearing loss, and the number is even higher for older Washingtonians.... Read More...
In the News: Interstate compact would help nurses get to work
February 10, 2021
Seattle Times Editorial  Washington has a shortage of nurses in the best of times. But especially during the ongoing public health emergency, the state cannot afford to have qualified professionals sitting on their hands waiting for paperwork to go through. Even in an emergency, nurses who travel to the state... Read More...
Because Freedom Matters!
February 09, 2021
One of the highlights of the week was the formation of the Senate Freedom Caucus. Three other Republican senators – Doug Ericksen of Ferndale, Phil Fortunato of Auburn, and Jim McCune of Graham – and I officially launched the new caucus at a press conference on Wednesday. A caucus is... Read More...
In the News: ‘Freedom Caucus’ formed by Republican Senators
February 04, 2021
By Eliana Sheriff, KIMA TV A new freedom movement is shaping up in Olympia. On Thursday, four republican senators announced the formation of a ‘Freedom Caucus.’ Their focus is on liberty. Their priorities are to advocate for lower taxes, responsible state spending, individual liberties and a government that “gets out... Read More...
No time to wait: Washington’s economy must reopen
February 01, 2021
Last week several important measures received hearings in Senate committees, and a few bills have already been approved by the full Senate and sent over to the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, Senate Bill 5114 – our measure to safely and quickly reopen all of Washington – was not among those... Read More...
Padden bill to remove barriers to condo construction passes Senate
January 27, 2021
Today the Senate passed Sen. Mike Padden’s measure to help increase the supply of affordable housing by removing barriers to condominium construction. “I am pleased to see such broad bipartisan support for this common-sense measure,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “At a time when many areas of the state are desperate... Read More...