Law & Justice
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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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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Improving state correctional facilities
Dear Neighbor, With less than a week to go in the 2020 legislative session, I have spent countless hours on the floor of the Senate, working to protect the values of our district while balancing the needs of our great state. While it has not been easy, with what feels...
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Budget season in Olympia
Dear Neighbor, As the 2020 Legislative Session begins to wind-down, much of our attention is turning towards our supplemental operating and supplemental capital budgets. The budget process is difficult –at best–as we work to balance the needs of government with the needs of its citizens. Health, public safety, education, these...
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Wagoner bill protecting inmates and corrections officers passes Senate
Senate Bill 6063, which directly tackles management problems in the Department of Correction’s medical unit passed the Senate Monday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, would establish minimum qualifications for a prison medical director, set criteria for transferring a patient to a health care facility for medical assistance...
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What’s passing in Olympia?
Dear Neighbor, Greetings and Happy Valentine’s Day! We’ve reached the halfway point on the 2020 legislative session, some of you might be asking “what is the status of I-976? What is the legislature doing to address our state’s homelessness crisis? What bills are moving through the legislature this session?” I-976...
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Senator Keith Wagoner talk about safety in prisons
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Wagoner bill to offer death penalty for incarcerated offenders named after Officer Jayme Biendl
Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, has introduced legislation requiring a death penalty review for incarcerated individuals who commit aggravated murder. Senate Bill 5364 would ensure that if a person is charged with aggravated first-degree murder and the murder occurs while the individual is already incarcerated, a request review must be submitted...
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Wagoner says bill will infringe on Second Amendment rights
Lawmaker says bill targets everyday hunting rifles used by law-abiding citizens OLYMPIA…As an advocate of protecting Second Amendment rights, Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, has come out strongly against Senate Bill 6620. He pointed to how the title of the proposal hides the fact that it would ban young adults from...
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