Wagoner concerned about wolves migrating into western Washington
Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, issued the following statement regarding the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s announcement last week that a pair of wolves had been documented living in Skagit County. WDFW supports a Wolf Management and Conservation Plan that envisions eight breeding pairs in the Cascades in addition to...
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Wagoner grateful Senate adopts amendment to keep timber dollars in budget
Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, issued the following statement after the Senate passed the 2019-2021 operating budget. “I am glad to see that the Senate adopted a bipartisan amendment to continue putting forest revenue dollars in school districts through 2021. This is a good win and an important tool that will...
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Addressing Washington’s mental health and homelessness crisis
Dear Neighbor, Greetings! Recently the Legislature and media have been talking a lot about homelessness, drug use and mental health issues. This has been one of my top priorities this legislative session, and I want to update you on some of the things lawmakers have been doing in Olympia. Last...
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Tough on crime? Not this legislature
Dear Neighbor, Greetings! This week marked the house of origin cutoff for this session, where any bill must pass out of the body in which it was introduced to still be considered alive this session. The exceptions are bills necessary to implement our state’s capital, operating and transportation budgets. We...
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Policy cutoff: the good, the bad and the ugly
Dear Neighbor, Greetings! Today marks the fiscal committee cutoff for this session, when any bill that has a fiscal impact must pass out of committee to still be considered “alive” this session. The exceptions are bills necessary to implement our state’s capital, transportation and operating budgets. Last Friday marked the...
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Local lawmakers to host two town halls Saturday, March 16
Sen. Keith Wagoner and Reps. Carolyn Eslick and Robert J. Sutherland are inviting community members to their town hall meetings on Saturday, March 16, to hear a 2019 legislative session update and provide constituents the opportunity to share their opinions and ideas. “Being a good leader means being a good...
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Is the role of our state government pushing its limits?
Dear Neighbor, Greetings! This week, Olympia and most of Western Washington saw snow blanket most of the region, causing the Legislature to take a “Snow Day” on Monday. Hearings resumed on Tuesday and I have been busy reading bills, visiting with constituents and hearing from stakeholders during this 105-day session. I...
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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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Beginning of the 2019 Legislative Session
Dear Neighbor, Greetings! Thank you for taking time to read my newsletter about the start of the 2019 legislative session. As your state senator, it is important to me that I am representing you well in Olympia. For those who do not know me, my family and I have lived...
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