Phil Fortunato

A major part of Sen. Phil Fortunato’s objection to the Senate’s COVID protocols centered on language in the required testing release form, which currently states: “In addition to the above I understand and agree that if any Test conducted during my employment, or while I am on Client’s work site...

On the opening day of the 2022 legislative session, state Sen. Phil Fortunato put new COVID-related rules to the test. The Senate majority approved requirements for in-person participation in the Senate Chamber, but Fortunato argues that the rules are arbitrary, illogical and don’t supersede his constitutional duties. “The Senate majority...

I would like to invite you to share your thoughts at an upcoming Tax Town Hall. There will be discussion on changing the state’s tax structure to make it “more equitable.” There are various options being considered to change the tax code. One such option is to lower the sales...

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Before the Legislature convenes, I need to know what you think I should be working on for our district. A lot of changes are coming our way, new policy battles and possibly a changing district due to redistricting. That is why I’m holding some...

Law enforcement leaders weigh in on vaccine mandates The Senate Democratic Majority has all but ensured that the Legislature will not be able to call itself into a special session in time to stop the governor’s plan to terminate hundreds, maybe thousands of state employees on Oct. 18 who have...

“We must continue to push back” is my mantra. I recently admonished my colleagues for failing to take up a resolution that would have called the Legislature back into session. I’m hearing from constituents and people all over the region, from each end of the political spectrum, that what the...

State Sen. Phil Fortunato is admonishing his Democratic colleagues for failing to take up a resolution sent to the Senate Rules Committee for a vote. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig and Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, who chairs the committee, Fortunato notes that the Legislature should have...

Every 10 years the state’s Redistricting Commission is charged with redrawing the shapes of Congressional and Legislative districts based on changes in population. All the districts are supposed to be similar in population. One of the changes being considered is cutting off parts of our district that are South of...

Since Gov. Jay Inslee announced renewed masking requirements and vaccination mandates, legislative offices have been flooded with messages in strong opposition. The Freedom Caucus is backing a resolution for a historic legislative special session that would cover key policy areas being voiced by their constituents: Public safety; Emergency-powers reform; Vaccine...