Legislature should convene in October Republican efforts to convene a special legislative session, led by state Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, to address the state’s response to the COVID-19 epidemic since April have largely gone unheeded by Gov. Jay Inslee. Instead, the governor has chosen to sideline the Legislature, issuing executive...

Many are concerned over the governor’s use of emergency powers during this COVID-19 outbreak. Few remember that they were granted under the 2019 SJR 8200, which passed with voter approval by 65.5%. As usual the small change had an unintended consequence. The constitutional change was quite simple, it added: “catastrophic...

Senator wonders why governor didn’t personally meet with Taiwanese envoys   Representatives from the government of Taiwan Friday delivered hundreds of thousands of masks that will be given to medical workers and first responders working to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Washington. Sen. Phil Fortunato said what should have...

Greetings Friends, Although the Legislature is not in session, I’m still working hard for you. I’ve been hearing a lot from constituents asking what we as legislators are doing to push back on the governor’s executive actions. That has been challenging – because we are not in session, we can’t...

As a Senator, I can produce some materials that help inform my constituents. One thing I’ve done is print some pocket constitutions that folks can take with them when they visit my office in Olympia. I wrote a forward and have uploaded it here for your to read. I take...

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, I’ve had serious concerns about how the governor was implementing our state’s response. Initially, we did the right thing and came together to stop the spread of the virus. However, I took exception when the administration started picking economic winners and losers with...

Sen. Phil Fortunato sent a letter to the governor demanding that the state reconsider how businesses are deemed essential. The impacts of stopping private construction is devastating to workers and their families, to the industry and will have significant impacts on the state’s budget.

During the 2019 legislative session, addressing our state’s housing affordability crisis was paramount. Unfortunately, the only solutions that were adopted nibbled around the edges of the problem and in some cases made the problem worse with new taxes on housing. The Tacoma News Tribune lauded efforts to expand tiny homes...

Opioid addiction is a problem in our state. People are sucked in all the time, needing more and more to get their fix with disastrous outcomes. Our state is headed down that path, and we need an intervention. After a 21-month study, we now know tolling State Route 167 will...

I recently mailed this newsletter below with my take on the end of the 2019 legislative session. Click here or on the image to read the entire newsletter about work I’m doing for you. I discuss our state’s transportation future, the budget, education and much more.  It is an honor serving you,  Phil Fortunato, ...