Special Report from Olympia | April 15, 2020
Important Reminder:
2020 First Half Property Tax Deadline Extended to June 15!
Treasurer Baumgartner announced last month that he would exercise his authority during a state of emergency found in RCW 84.56.020(10) to grant an extension of the first half property tax deadline. The first half 2020 property tax payment deadline in Spokane County will be extended from April 30th to June 15th.
Important information to know:
- This does not mean your property tax bill goes away. First half payments regularly due April 30th will be accepted until June 15th.
- The extension is not offered for prior year delinquent taxes or intermediaries, including mortgage loan servicing companies.
- Payments received after June 15th will incur interest and penalty as applicable by state statute.
- The second half payment deadline remains October 31st
Those financially able to make their property tax payment by April 30th are strongly urged to do so. Local taxing districts which include the essential and critical government services working to keep Spokane County healthy and safe rely on local property tax revenue to fund their operations.
Questions? Contact the Treasurer’s Office at (509) 477-4713 or treasurer@spokanecounty.org.
In the News:
By Rebecca White, Spokesman-Review | April 2, 2020
 The Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, once the Opportunity Township Hall, is seen on its 100th anniversary in September 2012. The museum has been awarded $70,000 grant that will be used on building renovations, including new roof, facade and windows, according to museum director Jayne Singleton. The construction scheduled for May 2020 is uncertain amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, once the Opportunity Township Hall, will get a new roof, a repaired facade and new windows after being awarded $70,000 from the Washington State Legislature for renovations.
The building, constructed in 1912, spent most of it’s life as both a center for government and a gathering place for silent movies, church congregations and was Spokane Valley’s first library. Spokane Valley Heritage Museum director Jayne Singleton said the 108-year-old building is Washington’s last standing township town hall and is also built in the Spanish colonial mission-style revivalist genre of architecture uncommon for this area.
...Singleton said she worked with Spokane Valley state Sen. Mike Padden to try and get funding for the building and is grateful for both local preservation efforts and the Legislature for funding them.
Click here to read the full article.
Audio:
Governor's controversial plan to release up to 950 inmates
 State Senator Mike Padden talks with Lars Larson on radio stations throughout the Pacific Northwest about the early release of up to 950 prisoners. Click here or on the image above to listen now.
In The News:
By Jim Camden, Spokesman-Review | April 14, 2020
Washington will release as many as 950 inmates in the coming days to help protect them from COVID-19 cases that have surfaced at some state prisons.
In a document filed with the state Supreme Court in response to an order late last week to detail its plans to protect the health of inmates, the Corrections Department said it will reduce prison populations with the early release of nonviolent inmates, some of whom are elderly or have health problems that could put them at greater risk from the coronavirus.
Between 600 and 950 inmates will be released “in the coming days,” the court document said. There are about 18,000 inmates at various correctional facilities around the state.
...Sen. Mike Padden, of Spokane Valley, called the decision “illogical.”
“The safest place to ensure offenders do not contract COVID-19 is within the confines of DOC correctional facilities,” said Padden, the ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee. “Putting these inmates back on the street leaves them without housing, a job, access to health care or the counseling they receive in prison.”
While there are no easy answers, the state should notify victims of crime and ensure post-release programs, including treatment and supervision when possible, said Steven Strachan, executive director of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
Click here to read the full story.
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 If you have questions, visit the state’s official coronavirus information site:
 The 2020 Census is underway and is ready for America to respond. Plan to include everyone living in your home since April 1. You can respond online in one of 13 languages and find assistance in many more.
Here's what to look for in the mail: The first invitations arrived at an estimated 140 million households between March 12-20. Every household that hasn’t already responded will receive additional reminder letters in the mail this week.
If you have a question or concern about state government, please do not hesitate to contact our office. We are here to serve you!
Phone: (360) 786-7606
Street address: 106 Irv Newhouse Building, Capitol Campus, Olympia, WA 98504
Postal address: PO Box 40404, Olympia, WA 98504
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 office at (360) 786-7606.
To request public records from Sen. Padden, please contact Randi Stratton who is the designated public records officer for the Secretary of the Senate and Senate members.
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