Report from Olympia | February 23, 2021
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Last week the Legislature moved on a number of bills – some good, but unfortunately, many not so good. On February 15, Senate Bill 5438 received a hearing in the Senate labor committee. The measure would create a benefit program for illegal aliens, who are not legally authorized to work in the United States. The following day, we had a spirited debate on the issue of parental consent for minors to have abortions. Later in the day, the Ways and Means Committee met for an executive session on Senate Bill 5096, which would create an income tax on capital gains.
You can read more about some of these issues and more below.
While we address these issues, we are still faced with trying to reopen our state’s small businesses and return our students to the classroom. The good news is the entire state is now open for indoor dining at 25% capacity. The bad news is that this may not be enough to save some of our small businesses and the jobs they create.
As the Washington Hospitality Association points out, national data shows the safest option would be to open at 50% indoor dining. This chart shows the death rate from COVID-19 in December for states with a mask mandate.
Washington is still the third slowest state for safe reopening of restaurants. As COVID rates decrease and inoculation rates increase, I’ll be pushing for the state to allow restaurants to move to at least 50% capacity to discourage unregulated home gatherings, while also saving businesses and jobs.
 We have to learn how to safely earn livings, educate our children and preserve human connections by observing safety protocols and trusting Washingtonians to make good decisions for themselves, their families and their businesses.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this and other issues before the Legislature. Please feel free to contact me with your questions, concerns or ideas for better government.
And thank you for giving me the privilege of serving as your voice in our state Senate.
Best Regards,
Senator
Mike Padden
Video Updates:
5-year-old Avery Taylor to lead Senate in pledge
 Click on the image above to watch Avery lead the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Each day of floor action begins with the saying of an opening prayer and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, both usually led by an honored guest. While the remote nature of this session has changed a lot and ruled out in-person guests in the Senate Chamber, we have continued on with this tradition to the best of our ability.
One way we’ve done this is by having interns and other staffers record themselves leading us in the pledge. Our office’s intern, Beth Taylor, was recently invited to lead the Senate in the pledge, but instead we were treated to her adorable 5-year-old daughter Avery doing the honor. Great job, Avery!
Senators debate parental consent for abortions
 Click on the image above to watch the Senate debate Sen. Padden’s parental consent amendment.
Last week, senators debated Senate Bill 5185, which deals with informed consent for health care decisions and would continue to allow minors to make decisions related to abortions at any age without the consent or even knowledge of a parent or guardian.
I offered an amendment to the bill that would have removed the ability of a minor to give informed consent for an abortion. This common-sense amendment would encourage parents to be involved with helping their children make the life-changing medical decisions about abortion, just as they are in other health-care decisions for their children.
The debate on the amendment was spirited but respectful and definitely worth watching. You can do so by clicking here or on the image above.
In the News:
Amazon confirms Spokane Valley fulfillment center
Center will specialize in large items and employ more than 1,000 people.
By Megan Carroll, KREM 2 News | Feb. 18, 2021
 Amazon confirmed on Thursday that a Spokane Valley development shrouded in mystery for months will serve as a "non-sort" fulfillment center.
The fulfillment center located at 18007 E. Garland Avenue is slated to open in 2021. Amazon said it will specialize in large items and create more than 1,000 new full-time jobs with a starting wage of $15 per hour and comprehensive benefits.
“This is a positive step toward strengthening and maintaining the resilience of our local economy particularly during these unprecedented times,” Sen. Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley) said in a press release. “I will continue to work in the Senate to create an economic environment in our district and across the state that is welcoming to employers and job creation and will keep us competitive as a region.”
Amazon already employs more than 4,000 people in Spokane at its fulfillment center located off of Geiger Boulevard.
Click here to read more.
Legislative Update:
Emergency executive powers reform bills die without a floor debate
By Jason Mercier, Washington Policy Center | Feb 16, 2021
It is painfully clear that the majority party legislative leadership in the House and Senate have no intention of debating if checks and balances are needed on the Governor’s emergency powers. All of the emergency powers reform bills and economic reopening metric proposals died yesterday without ever receiving a floor debate. This is occurring while the Governor says he currently has no Phase 3 or Phase 4 plans and one region was initially wrongly held behind from Phase 2 due to data errors. This has resulted in the Mayor of Kennewick publicly demanding an apology from the Governor for making condescending comments about area residents.
The lack of debate on these reforms in Washington is in stark contrast to what is happening elsewhere in the country.
Click here to read more.
In the News:
Dem leaders unwilling to take on Governor Inslee’s COVID proclamations
By KTTH AM 770 | Feb. 12, 2021
 Washington state Republican senators recently announced the formation of the Freedom Caucus, which is meant to speak for individual liberties, more restrained government with lower taxes, and strict adherence to the Constitution.
It was formed in light of how the COVID-19 shutdowns occurred, and includes founding members of the caucus Doug Ericksen of Ferndale, Phil Fortunato of Auburn, Jim McCune of Graham, and state Senator Mike Padden of Spokane Valley.
“I think it went back to our frustration with the shutdown of the state and the manner in which it was done. We all wanted safety and good health for our citizens. But the manner seemed pretty heavy handed by the governor,” Senator Padden told the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH.
“It was a kind of a one-man show — command and control — and the Legislature was left out of it,” he said. “And so back in May, we started calling for a special session. And while some of other members of our caucus wanted to do that, there were a number that didn’t want to actually use our leverage to get the special session called, and by that I mean not approve some of the proclamations of the governor.”
“Should the legislative branch be kicked around all the time in favor of the judicial or executive branch? And certainly, the Democrat leadership at the Legislature was not standing up to the governor or asserting legislative rights,” Padden added. “… There certainly is some momentum and a few senators here and there, but not the leadership in either the Democrats in the Senate or in the House are willing to take on the governor.”
Click here to read or listen to the full interview.
Tax Alert:
Majority pushes new income tax on capital gains, Republicans insist no new taxes are needed
By Joseph O’Sullivan, Seattle Times | Feb. 21, 2021
 Since at least 2015, Democratic lawmakers or Gov. Jay Inslee have proposed a tax on capital gains… Republicans have in turn condemned the concept as unconstitutional and not necessary for a state budget that has grown by sizable amounts over several years.
Yet, despite Democratic majorities in the House and Senate and years of debates and campaigning and discussions, the capital-gains tax hasn’t gained enough traction in Olympia. That’s been most notable in the state Senate, where a handful of moderate Democratic senators in previous years have opposed the idea.
It seemed notable last week when lawmakers on the Senate Ways and Means Committee voted to approve Senate Bill 5096.
If it passed the Senate, and then the House, it would almost surely face a legal challenge by conservatives who argue that it is a tax on income, and thus violates the state constitution.
“We have to remind ourselves that the IRS says that this is an income tax … and a very volatile one at that,” said Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, before the bill got voted out of committee.
She and other GOP lawmakers have also criticized the emergency clause attached to the bill that would make it take effect immediately — and prevent any efforts to put it on the ballot as a referendum.
Click here to read the full article.
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 Olympia office, which will be open starting Jan. 6, 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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