Schoesler maintains confidence that budget deal will be reached in time to avoid partial shutdown OLYMPIA…Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement of a third special legislative session to finalize negotiations on a budget for the 2017-19 biennium. “I fully expect the...

RITZVILLE…The King County Council today appointed former state Sen. Dino Rossi to the 45th Legislative District position left vacant by Sen. Andy Hill’s death Oct. 31. Rossi, R-Sammamish, served the neighboring 5th Legislative District from 1997 through 2003, stepping down to run for governor, and again during the second half...

A majority of the state Senate voted today against confirming the state transportation secretary appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee. The decision means Lynn Peterson is out as head of the state Department of Transportation after three years. “This is about having accountability at the highest levels in state agencies. Secretary...

Washington State’s 9th District Senator Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, and leader of the Senate Republican Caucus, responds to Governor Inslee’s state of the state speech where he called for higher taxes and increases in the state minimum wage. Schoesler also shares his views on what the Majority Coalition Caucus plans to...

The Senate today passed two bills aimed at addressing the needs of the state’s aerospace-industry, increasing the likelihood of bringing tens of thousands of family-wage jobs to Washington. Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom and Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler said today’s legislative action is all about securing the future of...

  The Senate today passed a new budget that its leaders say should help bring about the consensus necessary for the Legislature to complete its work.   “Once again, the Senate has worked hard to put together and pass a sustainable budget that adheres to our constitutional and moral duty...

Senate Republican Leader, Sen. Mark Schoesler, and Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Rodney Tom, stop by the TVW studio to discuss the 2013 legislative session on Inside Olympia with Austin Jenkins. The topic of discussion is the upcoming 30 day special session where legislators will forge the state operating budget.  ...

Today all three Senate caucus leaders joined together in condemning yesterday’s terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon and asking for prayers for the victims. As Boston police and federal investigators continue to probe the explosion of two bombs that went off near the finish line of the historic marathon, killing...

Washington State’s 9th District Senator, Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville and leader of the Senate Republican Caucus, talks about passing the floor cutoff deadline, the unofficial midway point of the 2013 legislative session, and some of the bills that are still in progress.