Senate approves Padden bill to increase judicial independence

Published on March 02, 2015
Today the Senate approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden aimed at increasing the independence of the state’s administrative-law judges by limiting the ability of state-agency heads to add undue pressure or retribution during administrative hearings. “I was a district court judge for 12 years,” said Padden, who chairs the Senate Law and Justice... Read More

Senate unanimously passes Benton veterans-insurance bill

Published on March 02, 2015
Today the Washington State Senate unanimously approved a measure to help veterans enrolled in the Civilian Health and Medical Program acquire supplemental health insurance. Senate Bill 5974 is sponsored by Vancouver Sen. Don Benton, one of the Legislature’s leading advocates for veterans. “Our men and women in uniform do so much for us and deserve... Read More

We said we would deliver and we did

Published on March 02, 2015
Statement from Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, on passage of the Senate transportation package. “We said we would deliver and we did. Today’s bipartisan vote on a statewide transportation package creates 200,000 jobs, gets our economy moving, fixes our crumbling highways and provides more accountability in the way we manage our transportation dollars. That’s a... Read More

Senate budget committee backs Padden’s felony-DUI bill

Published on February 27, 2015
Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to make a fourth DUI conviction in 10 years a felony is one step closer to Senate passage, after receiving a “do-pass” recommendation from the Senate’s Ways and Means committee today. “We heard from the family of Russell Bartlett, a wonderful man who volunteered at hospices, who was mowed down at... Read More

Productive session so far for Energy, Environment and Telecommunications, says Chairman Ericksen

Published on February 27, 2015
OLYMPIA… As the state Legislature passes its first important deadlines, state Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, rates this as a productive session for his Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee. “We’ve done plenty to protect our state’s low-cost energy, promote manufacturing and preserve jobs,” said Ericksen, chairman of the Senate energy panel. “Among other things, we have offered... Read More

Benton bill allowing parent-taught driver’s ed clears Senate transportation panel

Published on February 27, 2015
Local students instrumental in drive for new training options On Thursday the Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill introduced by Sen. Don Benton that would let students take online driver’s education courses at home, with parental supervision. “We know that driver education classes are important to road safety and the those students who take such... Read More