Fortunato to introduce ‘clean’ $30-car tab bill Calls for special session to uphold will of the voters Groundhog Day is still a little more than two months away, yet Sen. Phil Fortunato sees events unfolding eerily similar to the first time Washington voters approved $30 car tabs in 1999. Following that vote the state’s high court struck... Read More...
Fortunato takes Inslee, Constantine to task over dangerous ‘sanctuary’ policies State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, is demanding action from Gov. Jay Inslee and King County Executive Dow Constantine following recent violence against Washington residents that he attributes to their endorsement of “sanctuary” policies. Fortunato detailed his concerns in letters to Inslee and Constantine after meeting with local Immigration and Customs... Read More...
One Dollar or a Billion   Greetings Friends and Neighbors, I hope that you’ve had a great summer. Things have been quiet in Olympia, but something groundbreaking just happened. Late last week, the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case Black v. Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority. About a year ago, when... Read More...
Tiny Homes 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... Read More...
Tolls: Transportation’s New Opioid 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... Read More...
King County jail data ‘breach’ blessing in disguise, says Fortunato Sen. Phil Fortunato is taking issue with demands from advocates of illegal immigration for a plan to ensure compliance with King County and state “sanctuary” policies that effectively shield violent offenders. The Auburn Republican, whose district includes part of King County, said he appreciates that the county allowed federal immigration... Read More...
My take on the end of the legislative session 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, ... Read More...
The Impending Congestion Crisis While much attention is being paid to the development of the state’s two-year operating budget, there are other troubling policies working their way through the Legislature in the final days of the 2019 legislative session. As concerning as billions more in general tax increases are, there is a looming, self-imposed... Read More...