February 14, 2024

Legislature fails domestic violence survivors, no path forward for needed reforms

Earlier in the 2024 legislative session, Sen. Phil Fortunato, domestic violence survivors and advocates held a news conference outlining stark problems in the state’s family courts.  The package of bills aimed to train judges, provide more protections for abuse victims – mostly women and children – and set improved standards...
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February 07, 2024

Senators denounce bill to raise property taxes – vote expected Thursday

The Washington Senate is poised to approve a bill Thursday that would allow the annual growth in property taxes to triple, flouting the will of Washington voters who approved a cap on property taxes in 2001. Republican senators say they plan to raise stiff opposition when the bill comes to...
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January 19, 2024

Fortunato, local and national advocates push family court reforms

Flanked by victims and advocates at a news conference in Olympia on Thursday, state Sen. Phil Fortunato outlined his vision to reform the state’s failing family courts. Included in the package are bills aimed at training judges, providing more protections for abuse victims – mostly women and children – and...
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January 09, 2024

Fortunato bill would establish biology-based rules for school sports competitions

State Sen. Phil Fortunato is seeking to create a middle path that protects biological women in sports while allowing transgender athletes to continue competing. Senate Bill 6116 would do away with women’s and men’s sports, instead relying on biological sex to determine how athletes compete in schools. “This is about...
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January 03, 2024

It’s almost time for the 2024 legislative session

Friends, I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. I’ve been busy preparing for the 2024 legislative session which begins in just under a week. In preparation, I finished the year strong, meeting with constituents in our district and attending a variety of conferences and workshops to help me better...
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August 31, 2023

My plan to move people “From Homelessness to Housing”

The homeless population is exploding and housing prices are skyrocketing… a state Senator has a plan to tackle both. Tracy Ellis explains. #waleg LISTEN: https://ow.ly/aH4K50PGyIY
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July 13, 2023

Fortunato probes state climate policy amid new scientific research

Japanese researchers uncover glacial patterns unrelated to human carbon emissions Washington’s Climate Commitment Act is being felt by drivers at the pump, driving gas prices higher by nearly 50 cents per gallon. The goal is to reduce human-caused carbon emissions by imposing a “cap-and-tax” scheme for so-called polluters. State Sen....
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May 18, 2023

Amid mismanagement, Fortunato blasts governor’s veto of housing crisis study

While the Legislature met earlier this week for a one-day special session to address the controversial drug-possession law known as the Blake fix, Gov. Jay Inslee signed the three state budgets into law. However, he quietly vetoed bipartisan provisions to look at why housing and homelessness in Washington is so...
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April 23, 2023

Fortunato urges cities to adopt tougher drug laws after failed Blake drug possession fix

On the final day of the 2023 legislative session, the Democratic-led state House failed to approve a fix to the 2021 Blake drug possession decision, Senate Bill 5536, by a vote of 43 to 55. That means that the stopgap bill approved that same year, which sunsets this July, would...
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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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