Session Opening Prayers

Published on April 28, 2021
It is my honor to sponsor local religious leaders in my district to provide the opening prayer for during the legislative session at the start of our day’s proceedings. We hit a roadblock when the Lieutenant Governor’s Office rejected prayers because they mentioned Jesus’ name.  As it was turned out the Lt. Gov himself was...
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Tax Watchdog Alert – Spending Cuts Needed

Published on April 10, 2020
Sen. Phil Fortunato explains why the state needs to cut spending, now! Washington state’s COVID-19 response will leave the state budget in tatters come January. Hopefully leaders will do the right thing
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More Verbal Camouflage – Tax Increases are now Reforms

Published on January 30, 2020
It’s verbal camouflage. Just like Initiative 976 that is tied up in the courts because of a “confusing” title, the Senate just approved a bill over my objection that “reforms” the state’s regressive business & occupation tax. What it really did is just make sure more small businesses are paying the higher tax rate. We...
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More Gun Control?

Published on January 28, 2020
On the news of the recent shootings in Seattle, some are reflexively saying ‘we need more gun control!’ They skip over the fact that the 2 criminals had 65 arrests but were still on the streets. What can be done? I’ve got some answers.
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More than Just Money

Published on January 22, 2020
  Read more about my Housing & Homelessness Package here.
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Week 1 of the 2020 Legislative Session

Published on January 17, 2020
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Keeping our economy strong

Published on April 15, 2019
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.
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I’m still fighting for the American Dream – Affordable Homeownership

Published on March 05, 2019
Watch my latest video where I discuss my work to address affordable housing.
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Keeping more education dollars in the classroom

Published on February 05, 2019
Many school districts are concerned about the cost of unfunded mandates from the state. Those can be solved with additional funding. The problem is where to get the additional funding from. As of latest count, the state has passed over 1477 regulations down to the local school districts. I’ve introduced legislation that would allow districts to...
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It’s time to ‘Fully Fund Transportation,’ says Fortunato

Published on February 03, 2018
My bold proposal on transportation funding has received public hearings in previous legislative sessions and demonstrated that it can work. The measure, Senate Bill 5743, would fundamentally change how the state pays for transportation infrastructure projects by providing a stable and fair alternative to the unpopular vehicle mileage tax proposal. The plan, ‘Fully Fund Transportation,’...
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