Legislature

Legislature passes capital budget that provides strong broadband funding
April 24, 2021
The Senate yesterday voted 49-0 to approve a compromise two-year state capital budget. The $6.3 billion spending plan provides a record $413 million toward the expansion of broadband access in Washington. The House of Representatives voted 98-0 today to pass the capital budget, House Bill 1080. Sen. Mark Schoesler, who... Read More...
Legislature passes Schoesler bill offering property-tax relief for residents rebuilding homes ruined by wildfires
April 11, 2021
The Legislature has approved bipartisan legislation sponsored by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that would provide temporary property-tax relief for Malden-area residents and other Washingtonians who are rebuilding homes damaged or destroyed by wildfires last September. Under Senate Bill 5454, which was passed by the House of Representatives 97-1 today,... Read More...
Senate approves ‘high-cost fuel standard’ bill
April 08, 2021
The Senate tonight narrowly passed a bill that would create a “high-cost fuel standard” in Washington.  House Bill 1091, approved 27-20, returns to the House of Representatives for concurrence, or agreement, with a Senate amendment to the proposal. “This bill is the latest attempt by Governor Inslee to cram what... Read More...
Schoesler blasts Senate passage of ‘carbon cap and tax’ bill
April 08, 2021
A Democrat-sponsored “carbon cap and tax” bill passed 25-24 tonight by the Senate would punish Washington citizens and small businesses while letting big corporations off the hook, argues 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler. Senate Bill 5126 now goes to the House of Representatives for further consideration. The 2021 legislative session... Read More...
Governor signs Schoesler’s rural-ambulance bill into law
April 07, 2021
A bill prime-sponsored by Sen. Mark Schoesler making it easier for two tiny Whitman County towns to continue providing joint ambulance service was signed today by Gov. Jay Inslee. A 2017 state law allows rural ambulance-service providers to overcome personnel shortages by allowing ambulance drivers who don’t have first aid... Read More...
Schoesler backs Senate capital budget, lauds support for broadband access
March 30, 2021
The Senate today gave unanimous approval to its two-year capital budget, which includes $490 million toward expanding broadband access across Washington. Sen. Mark Schoesler said the emphasis on broadband needs is especially important for rural parts of the state. “Insufficient broadband is a problem in 9th District communities and other... Read More...