Author Archives: Laudan

Senate approves three Fortunato bills – Education, Divorce, and Knives

On the final day to approve legislation originating in the state Senate, three bills sponsored by Sen. Phil Fortunato, were passed with bipartisan support. Tackling issues ranging from civic education in schools to improving fairness in divorce proceedings and modernizing knife laws, the Auburn Republican’s eclectic proposals now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Teaching students how to think, not what to think

The first bill, Senate Bill 5637, expands civic education and media literacy requirements in Washington high schools, ensuring students are better prepared to engage in government and analyze information critically. The measure requires instruction on voter registration, U.S. naturalization test, powers of the three branches of government, and methods for evaluating news sources. It was approved unanimously.

“We want our children to be well-informed citizens who understand how government works and how to engage in it effectively,” said Fortunato. “This bill equips them with the tools they need to participate meaningfully in our democracy.”

Protecting families from financial ruin in divorce

Divorce can be financially devastating, especially for the parent struggling to provide stable housing for the children. Senate Bill 5536 ensures courts consider housing stability and financial burdens when dividing property in a divorce or domestic partnership dissolution.

The bill aims to protect parties—especially those with children—from being unfairly forced to sell their home at a loss during foreclosure. It seeks to prevent a situation where one side bears the burden of selling costs, taxes, and potential homelessness, while the other party receives half the equity without sharing in those expenses. The Senate advanced the measure with a 46-2 vote.

“Our family law system should not force people, especially those with children, into financial hardship or homelessness after a divorce,” Fortunato stated. “This bill ensures courts consider real-life impacts of their decisions when dividing property.”

Bringing Washington’s knife laws into the 21st century

For decades, Washington has had some of the strictest knife laws in the country, banning the sale and possession of spring blade knives. Approved by a vote of 46-2, Senate Bill 5534 updates state law to remove these knives from the list of dangerous weapons, allowing individuals—including tradespeople, outdoor enthusiasts, and those with disabilities—to legally own and use them.

“This legislation corrects an outdated law that unfairly criminalizes responsible citizens,” Fortunato said. “People who need these knives for work or daily life shouldn’t be treated like criminals for possessing a necessary tool.”

Sen. Phil Fortunato Calls Out Democrat Inaction on Protecting Girls in Sports

Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, is condemning legislative Democrats for failing to act on his proposal, Senate Bill 5012, which would have ensured fairness and safety for girls in sports by preserving single-sex competition in Washington schools. The refusal to advance this common-sense legislation comes as concerns grow over the impact of allowing biological males to compete against female athletes, jeopardizing competitive fairness and student safety.

“Democrats have turned their backs on girls across our state who just want a level playing field,” said Fortunato. “We’re seeing the consequences of this failure firsthand, as female athletes are being pushed aside in their own sports.”

The issue has been thrust into the spotlight following recent incidents at Tumwater High School, where parents and athletes have raised alarms about fairness and safety concerns stemming from mixed-sex competition. The situation echoes national trends, with Washington State serving as a key battleground in the fight to protect opportunities for female athletes.

Fortunato’s bill would have reaffirmed the principles of Title IX by ensuring that girls’ sports remain exclusively for biological females. Despite strong public support and growing evidence that female athletes are being placed at an unfair disadvantage, Democratic leadership refused to bring the bill forward for consideration.

“This isn’t just about sports—it’s about protecting the rights and opportunities of young women,” Fortunato added. “By refusing to even have a debate, Democrats are sending a clear message: they don’t care about fairness for girls.”

Washington’s inaction comes as other states move to uphold protections for female athletes. Recent federal lawsuits and legislative efforts across the country highlight the growing legal and political momentum behind ensuring women’s sports remain fair and safe.

“I will continue fighting for Washington’s girls, regardless of the political obstacles,” Fortunato vowed. “They deserve better and will remember who stood up for them when it mattered most.”

Your Tax Dollars Shouldn’t Undermine Your Rights

I want to bring your attention to a troubling misuse of taxpayer dollars. The Washington State Department of Commerce is awarding grant funds to organizations that actively work against our Second Amendment rights. Most recently, these funds are being spent to support an elaborate gala for an anti-gun group—an unacceptable use of public money that raises serious questions about government priorities.

These grants were intended to support community initiatives, not to fund political activism that undermines the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens. It is deeply concerning that public dollars are being funneled into efforts that seek to erode the freedoms of responsible gun owners while groups that promote firearm safety, responsible ownership, and constitutional rights are overlooked.

This isn’t just about one event—it’s about the broader pattern of state-funded activism against your rights. If Washington State is providing grant opportunities, those funds should be available to all eligible organizations, including those that defend the Second Amendment and promote lawful firearm education and safety. We cannot allow a one-sided political agenda to dominate how taxpayer money is spent.

I strongly encourage pro-Second Amendment groups to apply for these grants and ensure our voices are represented. If your organization is interested in applying, my office is happy to help you navigate the process and ensure these funds are distributed fairly. You can read the request for qualifications by clicking here. The application is due March 6 by 11:59PM with a respondent conference, TOMORROW, Tuesday February 18, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. and another on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 4:00 P.M.

We must hold state agencies accountable for how they use your hard-earned money. Our rights are not for sale, and we will not stand by while public resources are used to chip away at them.

Undermining Parents’ Rights

Friends,

The state Senate will be voting on “Parents’ Rights,” today. You can watch the floor debate by clicking here.

Last year, hundreds of thousands of voters across the state signed an Initiative to the Legislature to protect a parent’s rights in schools. The Democratic majority is using a loophole to overturn the initiative, now law, and ram through legislation that repeals the will of the people by a simple majority.

Let’s cut through the spin on Senate Bill 5181. Supporters claim it simply “aligns” the Parents’ Rights Act with existing law—false. This bill weakens parental rights by gutting key protections.

Democrats initially argued the initiative changed nothing—so why the sudden push to rewrite it? The truth: SB 5181 strips parents of their role as their kids’ strongest advocates, especially in critical moments when kids need them most. No one—not the government, not schools—knows or loves a child more than responsible parents.

This bill hands schools more power to sideline parents. It removes immediate parental notification when a child is questioned by police—potentially delaying crucial intervention. Even worse, it allows schools to hide non-emergency medical services from parents unless they actively seek out the information. How do you ask about something you don’t even know is happening?

And let’s not forget the emergency clause—designed to silence voters by blocking a referendum. That’s not democracy. That’s an overreach. Parents deserve transparency, not government interference.

I want your opinion on how I should vote on this legislation. Click on the button to take my short, anonymous survey.

The Legislature is back in session

Greetings from Olympia,

I like to remind folks that one of the worst times of year for taxpayers is when the Legislature is in session and it sure is shaping up that way already. In case you missed it, Washington is facing a significant budget deficit. The folks in charge are tossing around a $10-$12 billion budget deficit like it’s just another day at the office. But let me tell you—this isn’t a deficit driven by necessity or tough times. It’s a deficit built on overspending and bad priorities. The Democratic majority chose to spend way more than the revenue they knew we’d collect.

That’s where you come in. The Democrat budget writer accidentally sent their secret tax plans to the entire Legislature, giving us a preview into how they intend to pay for all the past spending and NEW pet projects that will cost you billions more in taxes. She asked colleagues to send her new tax ideas to, “spread the tax love around.”

Let’s be clear. The state will collect $5,000,000,000 more of your hard-earned money this year without new taxes. The deficit comes in to pay for the additional programs they want to fund. You know, things like unemployment insurance for illegal aliens and health care too. That’s plain wrong and I’ll be doing everything I can in the legislative minority to push back.

I’ve heard concerns from constituents about my tone, particularly about being too partisan. For years, I avoided naming “Democrats,” instead using terms like “majority party.” However, with our deep vote disadvantage, it’s important to clearly identify who’s driving issues like defunding police and the housing crisis. This isn’t about party labels—it’s about holding those in power accountable for the progressive agenda that you and future Washingtonians will bear the cost of.

It’s going to be a challenging session for common sense, but thankfully, I’m back in Olympia fighting for you.

Straight Talk About the 2025 Budget Deficit

As I mentioned above, the Legislature has a lot of work to do to build a balanced budget over this 105-day session as required by law.

Here are some in-depth insights into that work.

1. Overspending Like There’s No Tomorrow – The current biennium budget blew past ongoing revenue by $5 billion. That’s right—$71.4 billion in spending with just $66.4 billion in the bank. And what’s driving this gap? A big chunk of it is $4 billion in policy-driven “wants,” not needs. These are the kinds of pet projects and wish-list spending that Olympia’s power brokers push through, even when we can’t afford them.

We didn’t get here because of an economic downturn. Revenue is growing—another $5 billion is projected next biennium. But when spending outpaces revenue every single year, even good times can’t save us from bad decisions.

2. Declining Caseloads, Yet Costs Keep Rising – If you think the deficit is about growing demand for services, think again. Across the board, key caseloads are going down:

K-12 Enrollment: Declining birth rates mean fewer kids in classrooms.
Medicaid: With post-pandemic eligibility checks back in place, the Medicaid rolls are shrinking by 150,000 people.
Higher Education: We’ve got 70,000 fewer students in state colleges compared to 10 years ago.

Despite all this, spending keeps climbing. Why? Because Olympia just can’t help itself.

3. Inefficiencies and Waste Costing You Big Time – There are plenty of places we could tighten the belt, but instead, the waste keeps piling up. Consider these examples:

Tort Liabilities: Over $500 million paid out in lawsuits in the last two years, thanks to skyrocketing claims under current leadership.
Health Care Authority Mismanagement: Our state is paying for health coverage for 131,000 people enrolled in other states. You read that right—taxpayers footing the bill for out-of-state coverage.

Juvenile Rehabilitation Boondoggle: Housing adults in juvenile facilities is costing taxpayers four times more, leading to overcrowding, riots, and even more liability payouts.

What’s the Solution? More Taxes, of Course

The Democrats’ answer to this mess isn’t reform. It’s more taxes—on you. They’re talking about a wealth tax, a statewide employer tax, and higher property taxes for K-12 schools. Instead of cleaning up their own mess, they’re coming for your wallet.

It’s Time for Real Solutions

This isn’t about a lack of money; it’s about a lack of priorities. Washington families are tightening their belts, but Olympia refuses to do the same. We need reforms, not new taxes. We need to stop overspending and start listening to the people who pay the bills—you.

Let’s get back to basics. Let’s fix what’s broken. And let’s stop treating taxpayers like a bottomless piggy bank.

Fortunato Gets Jump Start on Trump’s Deportation Plan

Amid impending federal changes to immigration policy, state Senator Phil Fortunato is reintroducing legislation to protect Washingtonians by removing violent criminals who are in the state illegally. Senate Bill 5002 aims to repeal Washington’s sanctuary status and remove barriers that currently shield violent offenders from being apprehended by federal authorities.

In 2019, Governor Jay Inslee signed an executive order that prohibited certain state agencies from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. This executive order laid the foundation for Washington becoming one of 11 “sanctuary states” after the passage of Senate Bill 5497. This policy has led to troubling incidents, including high-profile crimes committed by individuals in the state illegally. Just this past October, a Des Moines teen was brutally murdered by two undocumented immigrants with lengthy criminal records. They’d be shielded from deportation under current state law.

“While we can’t change federal immigration law, we can take action to ensure that violent criminals in Washington illegally are removed from our streets,” said Fortunato, R-Auburn. “The safety of Washington residents should always come first. We cannot continue to allow dangerous criminals to evade deportation due to sanctuary policies that shield them from federal law enforcement. Our courts and law enforcement should be working with federal authorities to remove these threats, not offering protection.”

The reintroduced bill aims to close dangerous loopholes by repealing sanctuary state laws and administrative policies that limit cooperation between state law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. This includes eliminating policies that prohibit arrests of unauthorized migrants at court facilities and administrative guidance from the state Attorney General designed to limit immigration enforcement.

“…The Legislature further finds that immigrant communities are often the most victimized by illegal immigration and that criminal organizations involved in illegal immigration disproportionally target immigrant communities with criminal activity and flagrant abuses of human rights…” notes the legislation’s intent section.

Fortunato emphasized that the issue is about public safety, not immigration. “It’s time to stop conflating the discussion about illegal immigration with the need to remove dangerous criminals from our communities. Washington can no longer afford to be a sanctuary state—especially with the growing number of unauthorized migrants entering the country. The stakes are too high.”

Senator Fortunato’s legislation is a response to the escalating challenges posed by Washington’s sanctuary policies, which have allowed violent criminals to evade justice and continue to pose a threat to public safety. With federal immigration changes on the horizon, the need for Washington to reassess its sanctuary stance has never been more urgent.

Big day in Olympia

Greetings from Olympia,

Today is the last day of the 2024 legislative session and it’s been eventful to say the least. As I mentioned in my last e-newsletter, the legislative majority finally listened to the people, kind of. Of the historic 6 initiatives to the Legislature, they decided to hold public hearings on 3 of them and the turnout was incredible with overwhelming numbers of people signing up in favor of banning an income tax, allowing police to pursue suspected criminals and enshrining in law a parent’s rights to be involved in their children’s education.

There are still 3 other initiatives that will go straight to the November ballot. Those policies are arguably most damaging that they represent billions of dollars of new taxes and regulations. You can read more about all of the initiatives below.

I voted in support of the measures that came to the Senate floor.

Once the final budgets are approved, I’ll send another update outlining what’s changed in state spending and other notable legislation that will soon become law.

Phil Fortunato

We can’t afford to be a sanctuary state anymore

I introduced Senate Bill 6320 that would repeal Washington’s sanctuary status and other laws that have shielded violent criminals in the state illegally, including administrative barriers at courthouses, prohibiting arrests of unauthorized migrants at court facilities, and model policies developed by the state Attorney General aimed at, “limiting immigration enforcement to the fullest extent possible consistent with federal and state law…”

“The impacts of illegal immigration in our state were bad enough when Democrats pushed to make Washington a sanctuary state. Proponents continue to conflate the issue and try to pigeonhole anyone who is opposed to illegal immigration as anti-immigrant. It’s nonsense. With the influx of millions of new unauthorized migrants and our state’s well-known status, the reality is that we can’t afford to be a sanctuary state anymore.”

Housing Affordability?

I continue to serve as the ranking member on the Senate Housing Committee. For years, I’ve been pushing innovative policies that harness what our state is already doing to make a dent in the housing affordability crisis which is almost entirely government-imposed.

Starting in 1994 with the Growth Management Act and continuing almost unchecked for the past several years, the legislative majority has been doing everything it can to make housing more and more unaffordable. Ever-increasing regulations and taxes on the production of housing have continued to increase costs, making the homes that are available unaffordable to most families.

A recent study indicated that the state’s regulatory and tax burden increases the cost of building a new, average home by over $130,000. That’s over $935/ month at current interest rates. That means you have to make almost $4000/month in income just to pay for government. That doesn’t bode well for working families in need of housing security and I fear that without home ownership the legislature will create a permanent underclass of renters instead of homeowners.

Why isn’t anyone talking about the meteoric increase in property taxes? According to data from the State Auditor, property tax growth was 23% over the past 4 years. Do policymakers think that has no impact on housing costs? It does. This session the Republicans were able to block the Democratic majority’s attempt to increase property taxes by another $6 billion. Rest assured they will try again next year.

There are more productive and impactful policies the state should be pursuing to help housing in our state, and it starts with getting government out of the way.

Initiatives to the Legislature

Over 2.5 million signatures have been gathered for six initiatives to the Legislature that would reexamine various policies that have been forced on working families.

Since many of the underlying laws were passed, I’ve heard from constituents about the hardships they’re causing. It’s fitting that the people will get to have a say in the upcoming November election. Here are what the six initiatives would do.

Six Initiatives to the Legislature in 2024

Initiative 2081 – PARENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS (PASSED). I-2081 would create greater government transparency and require schools and health-care providers to inform parents or legal guardians of services provided to a minor child.
Initiative 2111 – BAN A PERSONAL INCOME TAX (PASSED). I-2111 would ban a personal income tax in Washington. The people have said no to an income tax 11 straight times.
Initiative 2113 – REASONABLE POLICE PURSUIT (PASSED). I-2113 is aimed at restoring reasonable police pursuits of criminals and suspects. I-2113 gives the Legislature the chance to restore officers’ ability to protect communities by pursuing suspects.
Initiative 2117 – ELIMINATE THE 50 CENT GAS TAX. I-2117 would repeal the nearly 50-cent/gallon gas tax created because of the Washington Climate Commitment Act, also known as cap-and-tax. The program has brought $1.8 billion into government but has done little to nothing to help the environment. It functions as a hidden gas tax, with no support for our roads.
Initiative 2109 – REPEAL THE CAPITAL GAINS INCOME TAX. I-2109 would save jobs at family businesses by repealing the capital gains income tax.
Initiative 2124 – END MANDATORY PAYROLL TAX. I-2124 would give Washingtonians the choice not to participate in the state’s so-called “long-term care” benefit, which is funded through a mandatory payroll tax. This initiative would give Washington workers the choice to opt out of this program if it does not work for them and their families.

I know this is a lot to digest and just a snippet of what I’m working on as your state senator. Please click here for more information about the initiatives.

Future leaders working in Olympia

Holly Khademi, a homeschooled 9th grader from Redmond, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia. Khademi was one of 21 students who served in the Senate during the sixth week of the 2024 legislative session.

I was honored to sponsor Holly for this opportunity. She did an excellent job helping me during her time in the state Senate and I hope she enjoyed learning about the legislative process firsthand.

Holly said that she was interested in law and politics which is why she wanted to go into the program. She also stated that she enjoyed learning in page school more about the process and other legislative business that she got to experience firsthand. Her favorite part was the mock trial and being able to tie in her passions for her speech and debate in a realistic way.

Holly, 14, is very passionate about speech and debate which she has been doing with her school for the past two years. She also loves to write, draw, study philosophy, and Volunteer at her church.

Initiatives to the Legislature

No updates to this page will occur after March 7 until after the election in November.

Fed up with destructive and burdensome policies pushed by the Democratic majority, citizens from around the state collected more than 2 million signatures to submit a historic 6 initiatives to the Legislature. All six received more than 400,000 signatures each and were certified by the Washington State Secretary of State in January and February of 2024.

The majority had initially refused to allow for any public hearings, but after the public pushed back, they announced they would grant hearings on 3 of the initiatives. In the final days of the session, the Legislature passed I-2081, which supports parental rights in education, I-2111, which bans an income tax in Washington State, and I-2113, which restores law enforcement’s ability to pursue suspected criminals.

The 3 remaining initiatives will go before voters in the November election. You can find out more about the remaining initiatives by clicking on the linked images below.

Fortunato introduces updated immigration cooperation bill amid border crisis

Amid a national frenzy over immigration during the Trump administration, Governor Jay Inslee signed an executive order that barred cooperation with federal immigration authorities for certain state agencies. Washington then became one of 11 “sanctuary states” with the passage of Senate Bill 5497 in 2019.

That same year, Washington was rocked by high-profile crimes committed by illegal aliens, including the murder of a police officer in rural Kittitas County during the 2019 legislative session and the brutal rape of a disabled woman in King County, whose assailant was released due to the state’s sanctuary policy.

After meeting with victims and federal immigration authorities, state Sen. Phil Fortunato introduced legislation in 2020 to close the dangerous loopholes in state law and pushed Inslee and King County leaders to act.

Fortunato, the son of Italian immigrants, has contended, “We can’t do anything about illegal immigration since that is a federal issue, but we can do something about illegal criminals in our jails.”

Now, he’s introduced Senate Bill 6320 that would repeal Washington’s sanctuary status and other laws that have shielded violent criminals in the state illegally, including administrative barriers at courthouses, prohibiting arrests of unauthorized migrants at court facilities, and model policies developed by the state Attorney General aimed at, “limiting immigration enforcement to the fullest extent possible consistent with federal and state law…”

“The impacts of illegal immigration in our state were bad enough when Democrats pushed to make Washington a sanctuary state,” said Fortunato, R-Auburn. “Proponents continue to conflate the issue and try to pigeonhole anyone who is opposed to illegal immigration as anti-immigrant. It’s nonsense. With the influx of millions of new unauthorized migrants and our state’s well-known status, the reality is that we can’t afford to be a sanctuary state anymore.”

Fortunato notes that not only is Washington’s policy a public-safety problem, but the financial costs are also adding up.

“We just had reports that the state gave hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to illegal aliens during the COVID-19 spending spree,” Fortunato said. “There’s no accountability and that’s the problem. If violent criminals are intersecting with state courts and law enforcement, we should be doing everything we can to cooperate with federal immigration authorities to get them off our streets, not giving them taxpayer money and shielding them from deportation.”

What’s happening in your state legislature?

Greetings from Olympia,

There are just a couple of weeks left in the 2024 legislative session and it’s moving at a break-neck speed. I’d like to think that the state Legislature has convened to address some of the most pressing issues facing our state. Communities are still reeling from bad public-safety policies, while housing, food, fuel and everything else is only getting more expensive. So, what is the plan for legislative Democrats in charge? You guessed it, double-down on costly regulations and new taxes in addition to hundreds of other bills that won’t have a positive impact on the lives of families our in state.

We have the resources to invest in our students, to make Washington affordable and give the public deserved relief from government-imposed price hikes. In fact, citizens have told the Legislature through six initiatives that they want us to act. Unfortunately, those initiatives don’t look like they’ll even get a public hearing. Under our state constitution, initiatives to the Legislature must take precedence over other business, but the majority is focused on letting felons vote from prison, allowing high-risk sex offenders to end state supervision, banning natural gas, and setting up a $6 billion property tax increase. Talk about priorities.

It’s an honor to serve as your state senator.

Phil Fortunato

Initiatives to the Legislature

Over 2.5 million signatures have been gathered for six initiatives to the Legislature that would reexamine various policies that have been forced on working families. Since many of the underlying laws were passed, I’ve heard from constituents about the hardships they’re causing. It’s fitting that the people will get to have a say in the upcoming November election. Here are what the six initiatives would do.

Six Initiatives to the Legislature in 2024

Initiative 2113 – REASONABLE POLICE PURSUIT. I-2113 is aimed at restoring reasonable police pursuits of criminals and suspects. I-2113 gives the Legislature the chance to restore officers’ ability to protect communities by pursuing suspects.
Initiative 2117 – ELIMINATE THE 50 CENT GAS TAX. I-2117 would repeal the nearly 50 cent/gallon gas tax created because of the Washington Climate Commitment Act, also known as cap-and-tax. The program has brought $1.8 billion into government but has done little to nothing to help the environment. It functions as a hidden gas tax, with no support for our roads.
Initiative 2081 – PARENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS. I-2081 would create greater government transparency and require schools and health-care providers to inform parents or legal guardians of services provided to a minor child.
Initiative 2109 – REPEAL THE CAPITAL GAINS INCOME TAX. I-2109 would save jobs at family businesses by repealing the capital gains income tax.
Initiative 2111 – BAN A PERSONAL INCOME TAX. I-2111 would ban a personal income tax in Washington. The people have said no to an income tax 11 straight times.
Initiative 2124 – END MANDATORY PAYROLL TAX. I-2124 would give Washingtonians the choice not to participate in the state’s so-called “long-term care” benefit, which is funded through a mandatory payroll tax. This initiative would give Washington workers the choice to opt out of this program if it does not work for them and their family.

I know this is a lot to digest and just a snippet of what I’m working on as your state senator. Please click here for more information about the initiatives.

Make your voice heard

We recently received good news that 3 of the initiatives will be getting public hearings soon. I encourage you to let the Legislature know your thoughts. You can sign-in to provide comment, testify or just have your position supporting or opposing on the record. Please follow the links to sign-up.

Click here to sign in about Initiative 2111 – BAN A PERSONAL INCOME TAX

Public hearing begins at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Click here to sign in about Initiative 2081 – PARENTAL BILL OF RIGHTS

Public hearing begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee.

Click here to sign in about Initiative 2113 – REASONABLE POLICE PURSUIT

Public hearing begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, in the Senate Law & Justice Committee.

Legislature fails domestic violence survivors

Earlier in the 2024 legislative session, I held a news conference with domestic violence survivors and advocates outlining stark problems in the state’s family courts and proposals I sponsored to fix them. The package of bills aimed to train judges, provide more protections for abuse victims – mostly women and children – and set improved standards for evidence and procedures in family court.

One of the bills, Senate Bill 5879, known as Kayden’s Law, would make Washington eligible for substantial federal funding to train judges and restrict unproven, unsafe “reunification” treatments that force children to be with a dangerous parent and/or parents with whom they resist contact.

At the time, Democratic leaders were disinterested in advancing Kayden’s Law or other proposals, indicating that legislation in the House was going to be a vehicle to address concerns of domestic violence survivors, but it never happened. Last Tuesday was the final cutoff for bills to receive a floor vote and not only did majority Democrats fail to support any of my solutions, but their own “reform” bill never came to a vote.

It’s really incredible that the party that purports to be about protecting women has failed so miserably on this issue. I was willing to entertain working with the House and Democrats, in particular, to get the policy done because what’s happening now is frankly disgusting. The state’s family courts are making women with children homeless, plain and simple. While they’re focused on raising taxes or letting criminals out, we have innocent people suffering.

Click here to read more.

Nanny state environmentalism

Washington purports to be leading the way when it comes to protecting our environment. The only problem is that Olympia’s answer to most problems is more government and higher costs. Just look at the carbon-pricing scheme that has driven up gas prices by nearly 50 cents per gallon. The reality is that Washington has missed every single climate goal while simultaneously imposing nonsensical regulations and taxes on consumers.

What are we even doing? The state wants to go as far as banning gas-powered lawn equipment and recently passed a Senate proposal to restrict the kinds of tires people can buy due to the types of chemicals used in them. In my real job I work extensively with the Department of Ecology on water quality issues and understand the effects of the specific chemical, 6PPD, has on salmon.

Rather than require a state agency to implement more regulations and increase costs to consumers, we can simply enhance organic material buffers along the roadsides in the most affected areas to trap tire particles and prevent them from entering stormwater. Since 6PPD breaks down in ultraviolet, eastern Washington does not have the same problems that we have on this side of the mountains. The answer is more often than not simple, sustainable actions that don’t require more of your hard-earned tax dollars.