Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Padden’s subscribers August 1, 2024. To subscribe to Sen. Padden’s newsletter, click here.
Dear friends and neighbors,
It is critical for our state to have an electric power supply that is reliable and large enough to meet Washington’s growing population and energy demands.
If we don’t have enough power in the future, we will face energy crisis, punctuated by brownouts – and blackouts. It would also mean higher energy prices for consumers.
With such a worrisome scenario on our minds, Republicans have voiced concerns about the efforts by the Inslee Administration and Democrats in the Legislature to restrict the production of reliable power sources like natural gas and, ironically, hydropower, which has given Washingtonians clean and affordable energy for almost a century.
Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River.
Some Democrats, including Governor Inslee, have indicated their support for the removal of the four dams on the lower Snake River between Clarkston and the Tri-Cities, even though these dams provide a large amount of clean and affordable electricity, as well as provide transportation, irrigation, recreation and flood-control benefits to that region. And during the 2024 legislative session, majority Democrats pushed through a new law that would make it easier for Puget Sound Energy, the largest natural-gas supplier in our state, to transition away from providing natural gas to its customers. To Republicans and many others, this new law represents the “slippery slope” that could eventually lead to natural-gas use being reduced or even eliminated in Washington.
Last weekend, The Seattle Times published two articles that focus on the challenges of providing enough energy in Washington in the future. The first story focused on how recently built data centers in central Washington are using an enormous amount of electricity, to the point that some are worried it will affect the state’s future power supply. The second article is about Inslee vetoing part of a bill providing a tax break for data centers. The vetoed section, which had strong bipartisan support in the Legislature, called for a study on how much power data centers consume.
It only makes sense for the state’s policymakers to know how much energy is being consumed by companies that need incredibly large amounts of electricity. It’s important to know so state leaders have a good idea of how much electric power needs to be produced in the future.
If you have questions about how to participate in state government this year or thoughts to share on anything in this e-newsletter, please give me a call or send me an email.
Thank you, as always, for the honor of representing you in Olympia!
Best Regards,
Senator Mike Padden
Sheriff: fewer fleeing from police since pursuit law implemented
One of the most significant laws approved by the Legislature this year was Initiative 2113, which restored the ability of law-enforcement officers to conduct vehicle pursuits of suspects. The initiative was submitted to the Legislature after sponsors gathered far more than the minimum number of signatures needed to be certified by the secretary of state.
As ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee, I spoke in favor of I-2113 when it received a public hearing before that panel. I also spoke in support of this initiative when it was considered by the full Senate.
After the Legislature approved I-2113 in March, it went into effect June 6. Since then, there are positive signs that this measure is working as intended.
In a story published this week by The Center Square, Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said the number of cars fleeing has decreased. “Absolutely,” the sheriff remarked.
Fewer fleeing cars is a clear sign that our roads and highways are starting to become safer thanks to the return of reasonable, common-sense policies.
Centennial Trail project completed
Part of the Centennial Trail.
Many residents of Spokane County enjoy using the Spokane River Centennial Trail, which stretches from Nine Mile Falls to Coeur d’Alene. The trail is popular with families and individuals alike. On any given day, you’ll see many people walking, jogging or bicycling on it.
In recent years, parts of the Centennial Trail have needed renovating. Fortunately, the state 2021-23 capital budget included $1.98 million for the Spokane River Centennial Trail Phase 1 renovation. I was happy to support this much-needed funding.
The Spokesman Review last week ran a story about how the resurfacing project was completed just in time for the 12th annual Cycle Celebration in Spokane Valley last Sunday. It’s good to see the trail has been reopened and is available for use.
Seattle finally might ADD police officers
Downtown Seattle skyline.
This goes under the category of “better late than never.”
You recall a few years ago when some Seattle city leaders thought it would be a good idea to defund the Seattle Police Department? This was back in 2020, during the time when protesters took over parts of Seattle (remember “the CHOP Zone”?).
Spurred by a strong anti-police bias by protesters and others, some Seattle City Council members wanted to reduce the Seattle police budget by 50%. Even though Seattle’s police budget was cut by “only” about 13%, this decrease still left a negative impact on public safety and order in Washington’s largest city, as this 2022 column in The Seattle Times noted. It is widely suspected that Seattle’s defunding plan was a key factor in more than 400 Seattle police officers and other SPD staffers resigning or retiring between 2020 and 2022.
Now, just a few years after the defund movement targeted Seattle and likely contributed to the sharp increase in murders and other crimes, the city leaders there apparently want to increase the number of police officers. According to a story posted last week by KUOW Radio (Seattle’s NPR station), interim Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr told the Seattle City Council that the police department there is in a staffing crisis, as it is down 400 officers and efforts are being made to hire more officers more quickly.
A recent piece by Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat included a quote by Rahr that captures what has been lacking in Seattle in recent years: “We need to get back to fighting crime. We got off track a little bit over the past few years.” As Westneat’s column pointed out, the city jail housed an average of 269 misdemeanor arrestees per day. Now, it is only 80 arrestees a day – a 70% decrease. This stark drop in misdemeanor arrestees is not because there have been fewer crimes committed in Seattle. It’s largely because of the drop in police officers there.
One can only hope that the Seattle City Council will help this new effort to bring on more police officers in an attempt to make Seattle safer.
Pollinator-resource list created
As some of you will recall, a pollinator-habitat workshop was held in late June at the Spokane Conservation District headquarters. I was honored to co-host this event with the conservation district.
After the workshop was held, a Senate Republican Caucus staff member who focuses on agriculture and natural resource issues assembled a pollinator resource list using the information from the Spokane Conservation District’s presentation at the June workshop, as well as resources received from others.
You can view this helpful resource list here.
Honored by city of Spokane Valley
Here is a screenshot of a video showing U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers and me being honored during the city of Spokane Valley’s “State of the City” event.
During its “State of the City” event last week, Spokane Valley city officials honored me and retiring U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers for our many years of service to the city and the region.
Here is what the mayor had to say about us:
“I want to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to a couple of individuals today, United States Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Washington state Senator Mike Padden. As both are retiring from their respective roles this year, I’d like to recognize each for their invaluable contributions and support of Spokane Valley. Each is a true partner, always willing to extend a helping hand. They’ve been advocates for the valley, at the federal and state levels, for many years, and have been instrumental in our pursuit to advance our capital infrastructure. Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers and Senator Padden, we consider you part of our city team, and on behalf of the city council and our community, thank you for your support and partnership for so many years.”
Thank you, Spokane Valley, for this special recognition! It is appreciated!
Touring veterans home in Spokane
Earlier this week, I joined a few other Spokane-area legislators on a tour of a veterans home in Spokane. The home is operated by the state Department of Veterans Affairs. During our visit, which included a barbecue lunch, we talked with veterans who live at the home, as well as employees working there. It was an interesting visit, and it was uplifting to talk with those veterans there who served our country.
EOP Commission meeting
On July 22, I took part in a virtual meeting of the Washington Employee Ownership Program Commission, chaired by Joey Nestegard, who is an official with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. You can view last week’s meeting itinerary here.
The EOP Commission was created as part of legislation that I prime-sponsored (Senate Bill 5096), that creates EOPs in our state. The measure was signed into law last year by the governor. The commission’s next scheduled meetings are September 10 and November 5.
Contact us!
If you have a question or concern about state government, please do not hesitate to contact our office. During the interim we are conducting business from our district office in Spokane Valley. We are here to serve you!
Phone: 509-921-2460
Email address: Mike.Padden@leg.wa.gov
PLEASE NOTE: Any email or documents you provide to this office may be subject to disclosure under RCW 42.56. If you would prefer to communicate by phone, please contact Sen. Padden’s Olympia office at (360) 786-7606.
To request public records from Sen. Padden, please contact Randi Stratton, the designated public records officer for the Secretary of the Senate and Senate members.