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...

This year’s Daffodil Princesses came to Olympia to promote the Daffodil festival and share their ambitions for the future. Accomplished young women from high schools throughout Pierce County represent the festival as members of the Royal Court.   The Daffodil Festival traces its origins to the city of Sumner in April of 1926, where a garden...

OLYMPIA… Today the Senate Transportation Committee held a public hearing on legislation that would allow voters to affirm or cancel Sound Transit projects that are more than 20 percent over budget after two years. “This is a simple bill that gives the power back to the taxpayer,” said Sen. Phil...

Thank you to TVW for producing this profile of the 31st Legislative District to share with citizens across the state.  

OLYMPIA…The Democrat minority in the state Senate today voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban a tax on individual incomes. Senate Joint Resolution 8204 needed a two-thirds majority to pass – meaning 33 votes from the 49-member Senate. All 25 members of the Senate majority supported the measure,...

OLYMPIA…The Senate Transportation Committee held a public meeting today about Sound Transit’s controversial car-tab valuation process – the subject of Senate Bill 5851, co-sponsored by Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn. Fortunato, a transportation-committee member, also supports having cities and counties vote to exempt themselves from Sound Transit for both car tabs...

OLYMPIA…The Senate passed legislation Wednesday that would allow non-profit organizations to raise money through raffles while being in compliance in state law. “I know a lot of churches that raise money through bingo nights or raffles,” said Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn. “However, many are unknowingly violating state law.” Senate Bill...

OLYMPIA… Sen. Phil Fortunato has introduced legislation that would provide older senior citizens with much-needed property-tax relief. “Seniors are being taxed out of their homes,” said Fortunato, R-Auburn. “They have worked hard for the homes they own; at some point in time seniors have paid enough taxes.” Senate Bill 5535...

OLYMPIA…Sen. Phil Fortunato has introduced legislation that would give school districts the authority to seek waivers from burdensome state regulation. “We keep giving schools more money, but a lot of that money never makes it to the classroom,” said Fortunato, R-Auburn. “Instead, schools spend too many tax dollars complying with...

OLYMPIA…Sen. Phil Fortunato has introduced a bill that would provide housing assistance to educators in school districts with high housing costs. “Seventeen years ago I proposed a similar housing allowance to address the inequity of teacher salaries in higher cost-of-housing areas, and nothing has changed,” said Fortunato, R-Auburn.  “I want...