The Senate yesterday unanimously approved Senate Bill 5919, a measure introduced by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that would encourage fire districts and insurance providers to collaborate and develop voluntary incentives to promote wildfire-mitigation best practices related to agricultural activities. Schoesler, R-Ritzville, says SB 5919 aims to encourage incentives much...

A bill prime-sponsored by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that aims to help restaurants, taverns and other establishments navigate the state’s permitting process was approved 47-2 by the Senate yesterday. Under Senate Bill 5291, applications for liquor licenses or license renewals would be automatically approved if the state Liquor and...

State government, including the Legislature, needs to do more to help combat the increase in retail crime in Washington, says 9th District state Sen. Mark Schoesler. “While we’ve seen a spike in many areas of crime, retail theft and other retail crimes are especially a problem,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “Retail...

Sen. Mark Schoesler has been recognized for his efforts to help Washington small businesses. The National Federation of Independent Business announced yesterday that the longtime 9th District legislator has earned the group’s Guardian of Small Business award. The letter from NFIB Washington State Director Patrick Connor to Schoesler informing him...

More than a month before the start of the 2022 legislative session, 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler has filed a bill that would look into private-market alternatives to the state’s new long-term care program, supported by an unpopular payroll tax set to go into effect Jan. 1. Schoesler’s proposal, Senate...

Following yesterday’s announcement by the state Employment Security Department that it will raise both minimum and maximum weekly unemployment benefits for jobless workers, 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler pointed out that legislation he introduced would provide relief and help stabilize unemployment-insurance rates for Washington employers who pay UI taxes. Schoesler’s...

Sen. Mark Schoesler has introduced a bill that seeks to provide relief for Washington employers who are facing the possibility of paying higher unemployment-insurance taxes as they also struggle with the effects of the COVID-19 economic shutdown. Senate Bill 5197 would adjust the calculation used to determine UI taxes. Much...