Law & Justice

May 15, 2023

IN THE NEWS: State lawmakers strike deal to ensure drug possession remains a crime

By Jerry Cornfield | Washington State Standard | May 15, 2023 State lawmakers announced an agreement Monday to toughen the penalty for drug possession and expand pathways into treatment and away from jail for those arrested. The deal comes hours before legislators convene a special session and, barring another setback,...
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February 22, 2023

Senate unanimously passes Wagoner bill to help those seeking substance-abuse treatment

Today the Senate voted 49-0 to approve Sen. Keith Wagoner’s measure to assist Washingtonians who have difficulty accessing drug- or alcohol-treatment programs because they can’t obtain a complete copy of their driving records.   “When someone is trying to better themselves and get much-needed substance abuse treatment, we should do...
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January 10, 2023

On Air: Sen. Keith Wagoner on KTTH Radio’s Jason Rantz Show defending the 2nd Amendment

Governor Jay Inslee’s rhetoric on guns isn’t sitting well with some Republican state Senators. In his State of the State speech, Inslee said “One of the most meaningful measures we can take is requiring that people have safety training before they purchase a gun.” Senator Keith Wagoner supports training but...
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January 22, 2022

Governor’s salmon recovery plan conflicts with Growth Management Act

Dear Neighbor, It has been a whirlwind start to this year’s short legislative session and an extremely busy week. I want to jump right in and update you on several issues I’ve been working on this week. Governor’s salmon recovery plan conflicts with Growth Management Act Salmon recovery has been an...
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January 15, 2022

2022 Legislative session priorities: return balance in Olympia, restore public safety

Dear Neighbor, As we begin a new legislative session, I wanted to thank you for the honor of representing our district in the Washington State Senate. This has continued to be an extremely difficult year for all of us and I am honored to be your voice in Olympia to...
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October 20, 2021

Vaccine mandate creates more problems for public safety and Department of Corrections, says Wagoner

Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate will only create a greater public safety risk, says Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley. The mandate, which took effect Oct. 18, requires all employees in agencies under the governor’s control to receive vaccinations for COVID-19 or be terminated from their jobs. Wagoner noted that the...
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September 15, 2021

Senate report sounds alarm about effort to empty prisons, return felons to the street

Read full report here With goal of ‘reducing incarceration,’ governor and Legislature create new public safety risks As if new restrictions on law enforcement weren’t enough, an effort by Washington lawmakers to empty prison cells and return convicted felons to the street is creating new public safety risks across the...
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February 05, 2021

Update on Washington state’s plan to reopen

Dear Neighbor, As the legislature continues to work remotely, I wanted to update you on some of the bills I’ve sponsored this session, legislation that’s been heard in the Law & Justice Committee and provide a video update on our state’s reopening plan. Senate Bill 5081, which I’m sponsoring, would...
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April 17, 2020

Dear Neighbor, This week’s newsletter will have an unfamiliar tone. It reflects my frustration with the unfortunate politicization of our current situation. I have tried hard to be supportive of the governor during this extremely difficult time and, in fact, I think many of the early steps we took as...
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