Tag Archives: Mike Padden

Padden’s committee approves parental-notification bill

Sen. Mike Padden was among a majority of Senate Law and Justice Committee members who today endorsed legislation to require that an underage girl’s parent or guardian is notified before she can have an abortion.

Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said the vote on Senate Bill 5156 completes the work he and 17 other Republican and Democrat senators began in 2013 to make sure at least one parent or guardian receives 48 hours’ notice from the person intending to provide the abortion.

“The benefit of this bill is the same today as when it came before our committee for a public hearing this past legislative session,” said Padden, who is chairman of the panel. “It would not prohibit an underage girl from having an abortion but would simply give her parent or guardian the chance to talk with her ahead of time, or get ready to care for her afterward. Isn’t that an opportunity any parent or guardian would prefer to have, given the choice?

“Think about what it takes for parents to arrange for their children to receive medication at school, then ask whether it seems reasonable to notify a parent when his or her underage daughter is considering something as medically serious as an abortion.”

A 2013 poll commissioned by Human Life of Washington and conducted by Portland-based Moore Information found 65 percent of those responding were in favor of parents being notified before a girl under age 18 could have an abortion. Padden said the poll results found 25 percent of respondents were opposed and 9 percent were undecided.

In 1995, as chairman of the law and justice committee in the House of Representatives, Padden co-sponsored and held a public hearing on a similar bill; it went on to receive House approval but did not receive a hearing in the Senate.

Three years later the Senate approved a parental-notification bill; it also received committee approval in the House but was not brought to a full House vote.

IN THE NEWS: Sen. Padden questions state Supreme Court’s education mandate

As published here Jan. 24, 2014 in the Tacoma News Tribune

Court dictates school funding? What’s next?

By MIKE PADDEN, MATT MANWELLER AND TERRY NEALEY

There is a clear principle outlined in the Washington Constitution, based on our federal model, called the separation of powers. This is the system of checks and balances in our government structure that maintains a balance of power and separates responsibilities between the three branches – legislative, judicial and executive.

Each branch has separate functions and may not commandeer the duties and authority of another branch.

Funding K-12 education is a constitutional mandate directed specifically to the Legislature, not the state Supreme Court. No matter how much we all support education, all three branches of government must exercise decisions in a manner that respects the law. However, the court ignored the separation of powers in its January 2012 ruling on McCleary v. Washington. Continue reading →

Gun-rights initiatives to receive public hearing Jan. 29

Sen. Mike Padden will devote the Senate Law and Justice Committee’s Jan. 29 meeting to public hearings on the two gun-rights initiatives before the Legislature. His panel will begin taking testimony about Initiative 591 and Initiative 594 at 1:30 p.m. that day in Senate Hearing Room 1.

Padden, R-Spokane Valley, realizes the Legislature is expected to exercise its constitutional right to place the two measures on the November general-election ballot, rather than vote on them at the Capitol. That makes the hearing one week from today all the more important, he said.

“More often than not initiatives go straight to the people, rather than the Legislature, meaning lawmakers don’t get to ask questions about the consequences – and we all know how laws sometimes have unintended consequences,” said Padden. “Bringing these two measures before our committee, and the public, will allow for questions that might not be answered otherwise. That helps us and it can only help to inform the voters,” he said. Continue reading →

Padden adds two area residents to legislative team for 2014 session

Two Spokane-area residents are working at the Capitol during the 2014 legislative session as members of Sen. Mike Padden’s legislative team.

Daniel Zapotocky is Padden’s aide for this year’s session; as a Gonzaga University student he had served an internship with another Eastern Washington senator in 2012. Daniel Condon, an Eastern Washington University student majoring in history, is serving an internship in the Spokane Valley Republican’s office.

“For someone with an interest in public service, nothing compares to the experience of working at the Legislature, so there is plenty of demand for these positions. For the people I represent, it helps when they can phone or e-mail my office and connect with someone who knows the difference between Newman Lake and Liberty Lake,” Padden said. “These two young men are not only hard-working but are familiar with the 4th Legislative District, and that’s a plus.” Continue reading →

Senator Padden on the passage of his comprehensive anti-trafficking bill

Washington State’s 4th District Senator, Mike Padden, Chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, talks about his bill to make state anti-trafficking laws include expanding the definition of “communication with a minor for immoral purposes” to cover the purchase or sale of commercial sex acts and sex trafficking; add to the definition of first- and second-degree trafficking; and make the penalties for those who patronize child prostitutes stronger.

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Padden bill to create jobs through B&O tax relief

Washington State’s 4th District Senator Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, talks about his bill to help struggling startup businesses in Washington state by giving them a break on paying the business and occupations tax for two years, and paying only 50% of it the third year.

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Spokane native joins Sen. Mike Padden’s legislative team

Spokane native Angela Wolfe has joined the legislative team of Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, in time for the 2013 legislative session, which begins next Monday. Wolfe brings education experience and a spirit of service to the residents of the 4th Legislative District.

“I’m thrilled to have Angela on my talented team in the state Senate,” Padden said. “Her years of education experience and her intimate knowledge of the district will make her an invaluable addition.” Continue reading →

State honors Spokane company with “Hire-A-Vet” Award

Today State Senator Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, joined Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause, ESD Spokane Area Director John Dickson and John Lee, director of the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs, in recognizing Haskins Steel general manager Craig Dias, who was awarded the “Hire-A-Vet Award” for the company’s stellar record of hiring military veterans and guardsmen.

Padden, a staunch advocate of the nation’s military men and women and the organizations that support them when they return home, applauded ESD’s work in highlighting the job needs of returning veterans, and called on more employers to follow Haskins Steel’s lead. Continue reading →

VIDEO: Sen. Mike Padden at 2012 Hire-A-Vet Award Ceremony

State Senator Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, joined Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause, ESD Spokane Area Director John Dickson and John Lee, director of the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs, in recognizing Haskins Steel general manager Craig Dias, who was awarded the “Hire-A-Vet Award” for the company’s stellar record of hiring military veterans and guardsmen. (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)