November 27, 2019

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
November 21, 2019

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
November 06, 2019

Return to $30 car tabs creates path forward for Fortunato transportation-funding plan

State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, says voter approval of Initiative 976 has cleared a path for his legislation to meet the state’s transportation-infrastructure needs without new taxes. I-976, which has so far received a 56-percent “yes” vote in the general election that concluded yesterday, will return annual licensing fees to...
Read More
September 20, 2019

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
September 13, 2019

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
September 13, 2019

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
July 23, 2019

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
June 05, 2019

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
April 24, 2019

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
April 15, 2019

Keeping our economy strong

It’s budget season as we enter the final weeks of the 2019 legislative session. Watch my latest video update where I discuss the dueling budget proposals and where our state is headed.
Read More