Author Archives: tracyellis

SRC On Air: Sen. John Braun on KVI Radio’s Ari Hoffman Show

By tracyellis | Published on May 17, 2023

Sen. John Braun talks to KVI Radio’s Ari Hoffman about the bipartisan compromise addressing hard drug possession in our communities that was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor.

AUDIO: Padden believes drug-possession bill passed by Legislature not strong enough to deal with state’s drug crisis

By tracyellis | Published on May 16, 2023

A state Senator says the hard drug-possession bill passed by the Legislature in a special session isn’t strong enough to deal with the state’s drug crisis.

The legislation made possession a gross misdemeanor.

Senator Mike Padden, the ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee, says the threat of a felony is more likely to persuade drug offenders to undergo treatment.

The Spokane Valley Republican says the punishment under the measure is basically a hybrid between a gross misdemeanor and a misdemeanor – not an effective deterrent for offenders.

Padden says, while he’s glad the legislature passed some sort of law to increase penalties, this doesn’t go far enough to be effective.

Governor Jay Inslee signs several Senate Republican Caucus member bills into law

By tracyellis | Published on May 12, 2023

Governor Inslee approved bills from Senators Keith Wagoner, Ron Muzzall, Chris Gildon, Mike Padden, Jeff Wilson, Drew MacEwen, Mark Schoesler, Shelly Short, and Curtis King.