Author Archives: Laudan

Fortunato: Stop Using Taxpayer Dollars to Shield Convicted Criminals From ICE

Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, is urging the Legislature to reverse course on what he calls misguided sanctuary policies that are forcing Washington taxpayers to shoulder the cost of incarcerating undocumented immigrants while federal authorities are sidelined.

Fortunato introduced Senate Bill 5818 in the final days of the 2025 session that would authorize the state Department of Corrections to transfer individuals in custody with federal immigration detainers to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a move blocked by current state law.

“Washington has become a sanctuary for felons,” Fortunato stated. “We’re not talking about law-abiding immigrants. These are individuals who are in the country illegally and have committed serious crimes. There is no reason taxpayers should continue footing the bill.”

According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more than 300 individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities are undocumented, an overwhelming majority of whom are charged with sex offenses or murder. With the average annual cost of incarceration per inmate estimated at more than $75,000 per year, Fortunato said the state is spending over $23 million each year to hold individuals who could otherwise be turned over to federal custody.

“We’re in a budget crisis, staring down a multi-billion-dollar deficit, and the state is choosing to absorb this cost purely for ideological reasons,” Fortunato said. “That’s unacceptable.”

Under legislation passed in recent years, Washington agencies are prohibited from cooperating with ICE in most civil immigration matters, including honoring detainer requests and allowing interviews with inmates unless strict conditions are met. Fortunato’s bill would amend those restrictions and restore the ability of DOC to cooperate with federal authorities in cases involving inmates subject to deportation.

The bill also allows the department to transfer incarcerated individuals to ICE custody during their sentence, with their remaining time to be served concurrently.

“Public safety shouldn’t take a back seat to politics,” said Fortunato. “When ICE wants to take custody of someone who committed a crime and is here illegally, we should let them.”

Fortunato reiterated that the state’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement not only drains state resources but also puts federal funding at risk. Some public safety grants require basic cooperation with immigration agencies, something Washington is now out of compliance with.

“We’re not just wasting taxpayer dollars. We’re risking the loss of critical federal funding that supports law enforcement and public safety,” he said.

The proposal is part of Fortunato’s broader legislative agenda aimed at prioritizing state spending, public safety, and government accountability amid what he calls a “self-inflicted” budget crisis.

“Families are being told they need to pay more in taxes, while the state protects violent criminals from deportation,” concluded Fortunato. “That’s not fairness. That’s failure.”

Fortunato Calls out Hate Crime Hypocrisy over WSU leftist attack on minority student

Just weeks after Senate Democrats rejected an amendment from Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, to include political affiliation in Washington’s hate crime law, a violent incident at Washington State University (WSU) underscored exactly why those protections are needed.

House Bill 1052 was approved by the Legislature late last week, expanding the state’s hate crime statute, but without Fortunato’s proposed changes to protect people targeted for their political beliefs.

“This is exactly what I warned about,” Fortunato said. “A student of color was assaulted for wearing a MAGA hat, and yet our laws still don’t recognize political violence as hate. Democrats had the chance to fix that and chose not to.”

The February incident in Pullman involved WSU junior Jay Sani, a Republican and member of Turning Point USA, who says he was ambushed by a university instructor and staff member while wearing a red “Trump 2024: Take America Back” hat.

According to police reports and surveillance footage, political science instructor Patrick Mahoney allegedly snatched the hat from Sani’s head and punched him repeatedly while yelling profanities. Another WSU employee, Gerald Hoff, allegedly helped tackle and kick the student.

Both suspects admitted their roles to police. Mahoney, a self-described far-left activist, told officers he believed Sani “got what’s coming to him.”

Despite the overt political nature of the assault, Pullman Police concluded that it did not meet the state’s legal threshold for a hate crime, highlighting the gap Fortunato’s amendment aimed to close.

“Democrats passed a bill to broaden hate crime protections, but when I proposed adding political affiliation, they shut it down,” said Fortunato. “Now, a minority student gets attacked by two white adults over a political hat, and under current law, that’s not even considered a hate crime. It’s outrageous.”

Mahoney has since been suspended by the university, but Fortunato said the larger issue is the legal system’s failure to protect all Washingtonians equally.

“If we’re going to protect people from violence based on who they are or what they believe, then that must include political views,” Fortunato stated. “Otherwise, the law is just a political tool for the majority party.”

House Bill 1052, now headed to the governor’s desk, broadens hate crime offenses based on a perpetrator’s perception of a victim’s characteristics, but not their political beliefs.

“This isn’t about Republicans or Democrats,” Fortunato concluded. “It’s about whether someone can walk down the street in Washington wearing a campaign hat without getting attacked. Apparently, Senate Democrats don’t think that’s a right worth protecting.”

Fortunato Meets With Governor’s Office, ICE; Renews Call to End Sanctuary Law After King County Attack

State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, is calling for an end to Washington’s sanctuary state policy following a violent assault in King County that left a 58-year-old woman hospitalized after she was kidnapped, tortured, and left for dead.

One of the suspects reportedly has ties to Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang. Fortunato said the case highlights urgent public safety risks created by current state law.

“This tragedy is just the latest example of why I’ve been fighting to repeal our sanctuary laws,” Fortunato said. “When violent criminals are allowed to remain in our communities because ICE is shut out, innocent people pay the price.”

Fortunato is renewing calls to pass Senate Bill 5002, which would repeal parts of the 2019 sanctuary law, known as the “Keep Washington Working Act,” signed by Gov. Jay Inslee. The law prohibits state agencies from cooperating with federal authorities, including notifying U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement when undocumented individuals with criminal records are detained.

He recently met with the governor’s office after sending a letter outlining his concerns and was assured that the state Department of Corrections cooperates with ICE. Fortunato then met with immigration officials to discuss Washington’s sanctuary state law and how to prioritize the removal of violent offenders in the country illegally and already in state custody.

“I waited to go public with these discussions because I hoped the governor would act,” said Fortunato. “But with the legislative session winding down, our communities can’t wait any longer. Public safety must come first.”

ICE provided a list of more than 300 individuals in DOC custody with detainers, a majority of whom are charged or convicted of serious crimes such as rape or murder. Federal officials indicated that the state’s sanctuary law was a major impediment to interviewing current prisoners to determine their immigration status.

“This isn’t about immigration, it’s about public safety,” Fortunato said. “We’re talking about people with serious criminal histories who never should have been here to begin with. It’s time to stop protecting them and start protecting Washingtonians.”

Fortunato also noted that immigrant communities are often among those most harmed by criminal organizations that exploit and victimize vulnerable populations.

“Sanctuary policies aren’t protecting the vulnerable, they’re putting them in greater danger,” he stated.

With growing federal scrutiny on sanctuary jurisdictions and the potential loss of federal funds, Fortunato said lawmakers must act swiftly.

“The stakes are too high, and the choice is clear,” said Fortunato. “We can risk billions in federal funding to protect violent criminals, or we can change our laws to protect our communities.”

Though SB 5002 has not advanced through the usual legislative process, Fortunato said the Legislature can still act.

“The Democratic majority is more than capable of moving this bill,” he added. “They’ve moved mountains to pass far less consequential legislation. The time to act is now.”

Fortunato Opposes Unconstitutional Permit-to-Purchase Legislation

Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, continues to voice strong opposition to House Bill 1163, calling the proposed firearms permitting law “a blatant and dangerous assault on constitutional rights.” Despite his broader objections to the bill, one amendment sponsored by Fortunato was adopted by the Senate.

HB 1163 would require Washington residents to obtain a permit to purchase any firearm. The application process includes live-fire safety training, fingerprinting, submission of personal data, a background check, and the payment of multiple fees. Fortunato argues the bill violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as well as stronger protections found in the Washington State Constitution.

“This is not just bad policy, it’s unconstitutional,” Fortunato said. “The government cannot convert a fundamental right into a privilege that must be bought, licensed, and approved by bureaucrats. If you have to ask for permission, it’s not a right.”

Under the bill, the Washington State Patrol would administer the permitting system, issue permits or denials, and track permit holders over time. The legislation includes annual eligibility reviews and mandates data sharing between health institutions, law enforcement, and the background check program.

Fortunato’s amendments to exempt concealed carry holders and to reimburse costs should the bill be ruled unconstitutional, similar to what was done in the Blake decision, were rejected by the other side of the aisle.

“This bill won’t stop criminals. It will only make it harder for law-abiding citizens, especially victims of domestic violence and working-class Washingtonians, to protect themselves,” said Fortunato. “Criminals don’t wait for permits or take classes. This is about control, not safety.”

Fortunato raised concerns that the measure would disproportionately impact low-income residents and put additional burdens on victims of domestic violence where access to certified firearms instructors is limited and time off for mandated training can be burdensome.

Of the 15 Republican amendments offered to address the burdensome training, only one Fortunato amendment was accepted to exempt armed private investigators and armed security guards who already have to pass similar training requirements as police officers.

“The Legislature is playing politics with public safety while ignoring the real drivers of gun violence, crime, not legal gun ownership,” he said. “If they were serious about protecting people, they’d be funding law enforcement and fixing the broken court system.”

Fortunato also warned that HB 1163 could open the door to expensive legal challenges, citing recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings that overturned similar laws in other states.

“This kind of overreach gets struck down in court and wastes taxpayer money,” Fortunato added. “Washingtonians deserve better than unconstitutional showboating from Olympia.”

Fortunato Applauds Trump Executive Order Targeting Washington’s Cap-and-Trade Scheme

State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, issued the following statement Wednesday in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Protecting American Energy from State Overreach,” which could upend Washington state’s controversial Climate Commitment Act (CCA), also known as cap-and-trade.

“President Trump’s executive action is a critical step toward reining in extreme, unconstitutional and costly climate policies like Washington’s cap-and-trade scheme,” Fortunato said. “The Climate Commitment Act has been nothing short of a hidden tax on working families and small businesses. When it was first adopted, I called it a crony-capitalist shell game and the results have proven that. It drives up gas prices, utility bills, and the cost of living, all while doing virtually nothing to help the environment.”

The executive order directs U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify and take legal action against state laws that burden domestic energy use, including policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions or collecting carbon penalties. The Department of Justice is expected to prioritize enforcement against state-level climate change policies and submit a report to the president within 60 days.

“Washington’s cap-and-trade law was designed to punish energy use and force compliance with an extreme environmental agenda that voters never approved,” Fortunato added. “The president is right—energy policy should not be dictated by the radical policies of a few coastal states. It’s time to put Washington working families first.”

Fortunato has been a vocal opponent of the CCA since its passage, warning that it disproportionately impacts rural communities and low-income residents.

Democrats reject Fortunato’s Tesla hate crime amendment

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Senate rejected amendments proposed by Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, that aimed to expand the state’s hate crime statute to include protections for individuals targeted based on their economic choices—such as driving a Tesla—or political affiliation.

“If we are serious about protecting people from targeted attacks based on personal characteristics, then we cannot pick and choose which groups deserve protection and which do not,” Fortunato said. “By rejecting my amendments, the Senate has signaled that politically motivated violence and economic discrimination are not worth addressing.”

Washington’s hate crime law differs from those in other states, where such offenses serve as sentence enhancements rather than standalone crimes. The proposed legislation, House Bill 1052, sought to broaden the law’s scope, making it more subjective. According to the bill’s summary:

“Modifies the conduct that constitutes a hate crime offense to include when a person commits a specified act in whole or in part because of the person’s perception of another person’s certain characteristics.”

Fortunato argued that the bill’s language is vague, making enforcement difficult by requiring authorities to determine both a perpetrator’s intent and their perception of a victim’s characteristics.

“This bill was supposed to clarify the law, but instead, it muddies the waters,” he said. “My amendments provided clear, objective protections against political and economic-based attacks—especially relevant given the rise in politically motivated violence in this country.”

Despite what Fortunato described as a practical, nonpartisan approach, the Senate majority rejected his amendments, effectively excluding individuals from protections if they are targeted for their political beliefs or economic decisions.

“This isn’t about party politics—it’s about fairness under the law,” added Fortunato. “Every Washingtonian should be protected from hate-based violence, regardless of whether they drive an electric car or support a particular political cause.”

Join Me for a Virtual Town Hall April 8

Dear Friends,

As we enter the final weeks of the 2025 legislative session, we’ll be working late into the evenings voting on bills and negotiating the various budgets (operating, transportation, and capital). This past Saturday the Senate adopted the majority party’s $78.5 billion proposal, funded with over $20 billion in new taxes, the largest increase in state history.

Click here to watch my remarks and why I voted against that proposal.

It is simply unsustainable, and no secret how we got here. As the Seattle Times noted,

“Lawmakers overspent and overestimated revenues through 2024, the result of ignoring state economists’ forecasted warnings of reduced tax collections.”

Your input is critical as I work to represent our district. I gained valuable feedback at our in-person town halls last week and want to invite you to a final virtual town hall to discuss where we are in the session and what I’m working on for you.

Please join me on April 8, and tell your friends and neighbors!

Virtually – Register Here
Tuesday, April 8
⏰ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Regards,

Sen. Phil Fortunato
31st Legislative District

Senator Fortunato: Largest Tax Hike in State History Fails Washington Families

State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, voted against the Senate Democrats’ proposed two-year, $78.5 billion budget and issued the following statement:

“Today’s budget vote is a stark example of fiscal irresponsibility. Instead of addressing the $7 billion budget shortfall caused by their own poor planning, the legislative majority has chosen to rely on an unprecedented $20 billion in new taxes while simultaneously adding more spending.

Two years ago, they passed a $71 billion budget based on overly optimistic revenue projections, only to collect $66 billion. Instead of fixing the spending problem, they compounded it by adding nearly $2 billion in new programs. Now, they expect Washington families to foot the bill for their mistakes.

The majority’s policies keep regulating industries out of existence, destroying economic activity and tax revenue in the process. It’s like killing the golden goose—Washington families and businesses are left paying the price while the majority creates new spending obligations to fill the gap.

Senate Republicans proposed a responsible, balanced budget weeks ago that protects taxpayers while prioritizing public safety, education, and support for vulnerable populations—all without raising taxes. The majority’s refusal to adopt sustainable solutions is deeply disappointing.

Washingtonians deserve better than tax hikes and budgets that gamble with their future. We need accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility—not reckless spending and higher taxes.”

Join Me for a Town Hall in Bonney Lake – March 25

Dear Friends,

I want to personally invite you to a town hall meeting on Tuesday, March 25, from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Bonney Lake Senior Center. This is a great opportunity for us to connect, discuss the issues that matter most to you, and update you on what’s happening in Olympia.

We keep hearing about the $12-15 Billion budget deficit and the need to raise taxes. I can go over the Senate Republican budget proposal with you that prioritizes public safety, tax relief, and real solutions for Washington families. Unlike the Democrats’ tax-and-spend approach, our budget has no new taxes and delivers:

✅ Funding for law enforcement to keep our communities safe

✅ Funding Important local infrastructure projects

✅ Common-sense education funding that puts students first.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and answer your questions. Your input is critical as we push for policies that put Washington families first.

Please join me on March 25th and bring your friends and neighbors!

Bonney Lake Senior Center
Tuesday, March 25
⏰ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Best,

Fortunato Signature

Sen. Phil Fortunato
31st Legislative District