The Senate today unanimously passed a measure introduced by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that would increase firefighter and law enforcement officer retirement benefits. Senate Bill 5791 would provide Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement System Plan 1 members with a one-time lump sum equal to $100 per month...

Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick and Rep. Mary Dye are inviting citizens to join them Tuesday, Feb. 22, for a 9th District virtual town hall meeting. The eastern Washington lawmakers will provide an update of the 2022 legislative session and then take questions from participants. Citizens may also submit...

9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler talks about the long-term care bills that were being considered by the Senate this week. He also gives a preview of the upcoming state revenue forecast.

9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler talks about how the 2022 legislative session is being run, with committee meetings being held remotely and only a few senators appearing in person for floor sessions. He also gives updates on two of his bills – SB 5202, which tries to help school districts...

A proposal prime-sponsored by 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler that would improve irrigation district elections has been unanimously approved by the Senate for the second time in nearly a year. The Senate today unanimously passed Senate Bill 5342, which would allow mail-in ballot elections for irrigation districts and identify qualified...

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...

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...

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...