Government Accountability

April 20, 2023

Fortunato proposal to find government waste signed by governor

State employees eligible for bonuses while saving taxpayer money Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Phil Fortunato that aims to find government waste was signed today in a ceremony with the governor. Senate Bill 5015 reestablishes the state Productivity Board, which is tasked with creating financial incentives and awarding state employees who...
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March 09, 2023

Senate adopts Fortunato’s proposal to find government waste

State employees eligible for bonuses  Politicians often talk about cutting government waste. The question is, how to find it? State Senator Phil Fortunato argues that one of the best ways is to rely on front-line state workers. His proposal to re-establish the state Productivity Board, Senate Bill 5015, would do...
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January 16, 2022

Engaging Remotely with your Legislature

The 2023 legislative session is under way and while we are meeting in person at the state Capitol, you can still participate remotely in a meaningful way. I want to be sure you have access to your government. Below are resources on how you can provide input on bills and...
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January 20, 2021

Week 2 Update – Virtual Town Hall

The second week of the 2021 legislative is coming to an end. As promised, I’d like to connect with you personally to provide an update and get your insights. So, I’m hosting another virtual town hall and if timing permits, I’m hoping to hold an informal discussion every two weeks...
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February 21, 2019

Truth in government bill seeks to change state agency name

Taxpayer advocate and state Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, has introduced truth-in-government legislation that accurately portrays the work of a state agency. Senate Bill 5925 would change the name of the state Department of Revenue to the Department of Taxation. The simple name change required an over-500-page bill. “I was at...
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July 20, 2017

House, Inslee offer “death sentence for rural Washington,” Fortunato says

Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, issued the following statement in response to the news that the House has refused a permanent Hirst fix: House Democrats are being led by Seattle special interests that think that city water magically appears out of pipes in the wall but rural water taken from wells...
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July 14, 2017

Is it time for the rest of the county to escape from Seattle?

By now, you should have received my final legislative update for the year.  Unfortunately, Senate rules governing election-year communications required that my final update be mailed prior to the end of our legislative business this year.  You can read the entire newsletter by clicking the picture below. In the newsletter,...
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June 02, 2017

Fortunato calls on Sound Transit to halt $10 million giveaway

Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, is calling on Sound Transit’s governing board to reverse a decision made last week to transfer millions of dollars of property over to non-profits at a financial loss. Sound Transit plans to transfer property valued at $18.5 million for a third or half of its market...
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April 25, 2017

VIDEO: What Sound Transit fears of a vote on cost overruns reveals

In this video, Senator Phil Fortunato explains his legislation to give voting power back to the people to approve or stop Sound Transit projects that go 100 percent over budget.    
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April 17, 2017

Fortunato resolution honors 119 years of Eagles service

On Monday, the Senate honored the 119 years of community service given by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles (F.O.E.), an organization devoted to peace, prosperity and gladness since its founding in 1898.   Senator Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, sponsored the resolution and related the vastness of the Eagles’ cultural impact from...
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