Inmate-health scandal at Corrections more evidence of Inslee leadership failure, say GOP senators

Published on July 29, 2019
Padden will propose expanded package of reforms in 2020 session As yet another major scandal rocks the state Department of Corrections, Senate Republicans who have been urging sweeping reforms for the agency since 2016 say enough is enough, and it’s far past time that Gov. Jay Inslee show some leadership and address the mismanagement of... Read More

Washingtonians beware — an income-tax battle is brewing

Published on July 17, 2019
O’Ban calls on Attorney General Ferguson to defend state law against incorrect court decision OLYMPIA…In the wake of yesterday’s Court of Appeals ruling on Seattle’s proposed income tax, Sen. Steve O’Ban warned Washingtonians to hunker down for a battle against the relentless push by the majority party for a statewide income tax and sent a... Read More

Seattle lawsuit part of strategy to force income tax on state, McKenna says

Published on June 26, 2019
Democratic legislators ask Court of Appeals to overrule Washington voters OLYMPIA – When majority Democrats in the state Legislature decided this wasn’t the year to push a new income tax, it didn’t mean the fight was over. The battleground just moved from the Legislature to the courts. The state Court of Appeals heard oral arguments... Read More

Padden bill banning organ-transplant discrimination signed into law

Published on May 08, 2019
Today Sen. Mike Padden’s anti-discrimination legislation to protect people with developmental disabilities who are seeking organ transplants was signed into law. Substitute Senate Bill 5405 cleared the Legislature on April 24 with unanimous support. “I am pleased that Washington has spoken clearly, with one voice, that all lives have value,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley. “No... Read More

Sonics legend Jack Sikma honored by Senate on induction to Hall of Fame

Published on April 18, 2019
Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, and Jack Sikma. To see Senate resolution, click here. OLYMPIA – Jack Sikma, one of the standouts on the legendary Seattle SuperSonics team that captured the 1979 NBA title, was honored by the Washington Senate Thursday on his upcoming induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In remarks to... Read More

‘Net metering’ bill forces low-income Washingtonians to subsidize solar panels for the wealthy, senators say

Published on March 05, 2019
OLYMPIA – A ‘net metering’ bill passed by the Senate Monday forces low-income Washington residents to subsidize rooftop solar panels for the well-to-do, senators complained. Senate Bill 5223 requires utilities to dramatically expand their purchases of power from customers with rooftop solar panels, to at least 4 percent of their load, if sufficient customers seek... Read More