King says Democrats’ attack on oil companies is attempt to steer focus from cap-and-trade’s effect on nation-leading gas prices

Schoesler says Democrats’ passage of anti-firearm bills won’t deter criminals

Governor signs Padden bill raising penalty for custodial sexual misconduct

Legislature passes Padden bill raising penalty for custodial sexual misconduct

STATEMENT: Police-pursuit bill narrowly passed by Senate today is ‘half step’ in the right direction, says Republican leader
OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun today offered this statement following the Senate’s narrow passage of legislation that would let law-enforcement officers engage in vehicular pursuits in more situations than Washington law has allowed since 2021. Senate Bill 5352 was passed with a 26-23 vote on the final day of this session for the Senate... Read More
Committee passes Padden bill to keep repeat property offenders behind bars longer

Padden bill to increase penalty for drug possession receives committee hearing

Intimidating, publicly shaming those with vaccine concerns is wrong path, says Braun

Republican leaders call for special session to fix confusing, controversial police reform bills
Democrat sponsor of legislation admits fixes are necessary OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, issued the following statement in response to continued Democrat insistence in the press that law enforcement and legislators are overreacting to controversial new laws on policing that lack clarity and endanger the public,... Read More
Republican leaders say people deserve clear answers about state of emergency
New proclamation indicates governor will maintain tighter grip at least through September OLYMPIA… With the state of emergency linked to the COVID-19 pandemic now past the 16-month mark, the state Legislature’s top Republican leaders say Gov. Jay Inslee needs to be up front with the people of Washington about how much longer he intends... Read More
Braun: Inslee again violates state constitution with illegal veto

Republican leaders say new CDC guidance supports June 15 reopening

Legislative Republicans: Emergency power reform not about the governor – it’s about the people

Schoesler statement on announcement of West Coast governors’ pact

Eastern Washington senators sponsor bill to end tax chaos for concrete pumpers

Senate Republicans offer comprehensive Corrections reforms, would increase safety and accountability

Padden bill banning organ-transplant discrimination signed into law

Padden and Holy applaud new Spokane-area remote-testimony sites

‘No government shutdown’ assures Senate majority leader
Schoesler maintains confidence that budget deal will be reached in time to avoid partial shutdown OLYMPIA…Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement of a third special legislative session to finalize negotiations on a budget for the 2017-19 biennium. “I fully expect the budget teams to submit a... Read More
Padden’s felony-DUI bill moves to House for third time this year

VIDEO: Senate honors those with Down syndrome

Rivers seeks to clarify guardian ad litem rules
When Vancouver resident Tina Toth phoned state Sen. Ann Rivers’ office over three years ago, she had hit the bureaucratic equivalent of a brick wall and didn’t know where to turn. Toth had just lost custody of her two boys through a stunning decision to place them with her physically abusive ex-husband. A family-court commissioner... Read More
Padden continues work to end human trafficking

Padden bill to help new small businesses clears Senate panel

Key Senate panel unanimously approves Padden’s felony-DUI bill
Momentum and support continue to grow for Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to make a fourth DUI conviction in 10 years a felony. Today the state Senate Law and Justice Committee voted unanimously to approve Senate Bill 5105, which now moves one step closer to a vote of the full Senate. “These repeat-DUI offenders are the... Read More
Padden: Time for Washington to get tough on repeat DUI offenders
Law and Justice Committee hears testimony on Padden measure to make fourth DUI a felony When a father, mother, grandfather, husband or friend is ripped away by the actions of a drunk driver, the pain and impact caused by that can reverberate through a family and a community. The demand for justice and the desire... Read More
Padden introduces parental-notification bill
Bill supporters to gather tomorrow at 37th annual March for Life in Olympia Calling it a common-sense measure to respect the rights of parents, Sen. Mike Padden today announced legislation to require that an underage girl’s parent or guardian be notified before she may have an abortion. Padden, R-Spokane Valley, plans to discuss Senate Bill... Read More
King selected to lead Senate transportation committee
During a meeting of Senate majority lawmakers Monday, Sen. Curtis King was chosen to chair the Senate Transportation Committee. As head of the committee, King will steer the transportation agenda and bill proposals, as well as write the biennial transportation budget. It is anticipated that the agenda will focus on passage of a reform and transportation-revenue package.... Read More
Braun holds first Latino legislative forum in 20th District
More than 50 members of the 20th Legislative District’s Latino community joined Sen. John Braun on Sunday afternoon in Chehalis for a discussion about priorities for the upcoming legislative session, which begins Jan. 12. “I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout,” said Braun, R-Centralia, who had invited members of the area’s faith community and leaders... Read More
Braun elected deputy leader of Senate majority
The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus has elected Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, as Senate Majority Deputy Leader for the two-year legislative term that begins in 2015. Braun was already a member of the MCC leadership team and is chair of the Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee. “We will have a tough job this coming legislative... Read More
Schoesler elected to lead Senate coalition as Majority Leader
The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus today elected Sen. Mark Schoesler as Senate Majority Leader for a two-year legislative term. “I’m grateful to my Senate colleagues for their vote of confidence and am eager to continue working on solutions for the people of Washington,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville, “It’s time to govern and roll up our sleeves... Read More
IN THE NEWS: Public needs voice in carbon debate
Local View: Public needs voice in carbon debate By Sen. Ann Rivers | Published: August 3, 2014, 6:00 AM There’s enough chatter at the Capitol about a pair of climate-change policies — familiar but complex proposals known as “cap-and-trade” and “low-carbon fuel standards” — that it’s time to ask: What do these confusing and complicated... Read More