Latest news with #WashingtonHouseofRepresentatives
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Upcoming flag directive in memory of former WA House Speaker Frank Chopp
The Brief Flags at Washington state agency facilities will be lowered to half-staff on June 1 to honor former House Speaker Frank Chopp. Chopp, who served Washington's 43rd district for 30 years, passed away from cardiac arrest at age 71. A memorial service for Chopp is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. OLYMPIA, Wash. - Governor Bob Ferguson has ordereda flag directive for June 1, following the passing of former Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives, Frank Chopp. All Washington state and U.S. flags at all state agency facilities have been ordered to be lowered to half-staff in Chopp's memory on Sunday, June 1. Flags should remain at half-staff until the close of business or sunset on June 1, or until first thing Monday, June 2. Chopp, 71, represented Washington's 43rd legislative district for three decades. He served as speaker of the state House in 1999, and continued for 20 years before resigning to focus on affordable housing, healthcare for all and social and economic justice before retiring earlier this year. Chopp passed away on the afternoon of March 22, following a cardiac arrest. What's next A memorial service will take place on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. You can sign up online to be notified when Governor Ferguson directs flags. The Source Information in this article is from the Office of the Governor and Frank Chopp's obituary. Sweltering weather in store for Seattle this week Motorcyclist killed, driver arrested after Puyallup crash Mom of slain Idaho victim Xana Kernodle asks for help attending Bryan Kohberger trial Seattle Memorial Day weekend 2025: Your guide to events, traffic, more Tears, heartbreak at Chase Jones sentencing—teen in fatal Renton, WA crash To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Moses Lake man arrested in connection with March 8 shooting
Mar. 17—MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Friday in connection with a March 8 shooting on Stratford Road in Moses Lake. Luis Medina, 27, was arrested in Moses Lake and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and drive-by shooting, said Moses Lake Police Department Captain Jeff Sursely in a press release. The shooting injured Monty Dent, 32, Moses Lake. Dent was hit in the arm and back; his father, Tom Dent, a Republican who serves in the Washington House of Representatives, said the nature of the back injury caused him to be airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. His son has since been released from the hospital and is recuperating. "During the arrest, a gun was recovered from the suspect's vehicle and will be tested to see if it was the gun used in the assault," Sursely said. Moses Lake Police Department officers were summoned to a report of an argument in the 1100 block of Stratford Road on the evening of March 8. When they arrived at the fight scene, they received notification of a shooting at Stratford Road and Maple Drive Northeast. "A witness described a white sedan pulling up next to the victim and firing several shots into the vehicle as they traveled northbound on Stratford Road," Sursely said. Rep. Dent was participating in the 2025 Washington Legislative Session, but emergencies don't respect time nor place, he said. His wife was also away from home. "I'm really concerned with the anger that's in the community," Dent said. "What are we doing that's creating this?" Dent said it's more common now for people to respond to aggravation with violence, which isn't a good trend. "We need to address this in a different way. We need to look for the cause," he said. "The COVID thing really changed things a lot — people were isolated and unable to have the normal social interactions. They were just shut down and left alone." That made the trend worse but didn't cause it, he said. "How are we going to reverse this trend that we're faced with right now?" he said. "That's my big concern." His legislative colleagues rallied around, he said. "I'm really grateful for that, for the support of the Legislature," he said. "All the members on both sides (of the aisle) reached out — unbelievably so. They check in with me every day." Governor Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, offered the use of the governor's plane to ensure Dent got to Spokane as quickly as possible, he said. He also got a ride from the airport to the hospital. Dent said he's a longtime supporter of more severe penalties for crimes that involve guns and will advocate for that. "No matter what, this is not what a polite society does," he said.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Yahoo
Moses Lake man arrested in connection with March 8 shooting
Mar. 17—MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was arrested Friday in connection with a March 8 shooting on Stratford Road in Moses Lake. Luis Medina, 27, was arrested in Moses Lake and booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and drive-by shooting, said Moses Lake Police Department Captain Jeff Sursely in a press release. The shooting injured Monty Dent, 32, Moses Lake. Dent was hit in the arm and back; his father, Tom Dent, a Republican who serves in the Washington House of Representatives, said the nature of the back injury caused him to be airlifted to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. His son has since been released from the hospital and is recuperating. "During the arrest, a gun was recovered from the suspect's vehicle and will be tested to see if it was the gun used in the assault," Sursely said. Moses Lake Police Department officers were summoned to a report of an argument in the 1100 block of Stratford Road on the evening of March 8. When they arrived at the fight scene, they received notification of a shooting at Stratford Road and Maple Drive Northeast. "A witness described a white sedan pulling up next to the victim and firing several shots into the vehicle as they traveled northbound on Stratford Road," Sursely said. Rep. Dent was participating in the 2025 Washington Legislative Session, but emergencies don't respect time nor place, he said. His wife was also away from home. "I'm really concerned with the anger that's in the community," Dent said. "What are we doing that's creating this?" Dent said it's more common now for people to respond to aggravation with violence, which isn't a good trend. "We need to address this in a different way. We need to look for the cause," he said. "The COVID thing really changed things a lot — people were isolated and unable to have the normal social interactions. They were just shut down and left alone." That made the trend worse but didn't cause it, he said. "How are we going to reverse this trend that we're faced with right now?" he said. "That's my big concern." His legislative colleagues rallied around, he said. "I'm really grateful for that, for the support of the Legislature," he said. "All the members on both sides (of the aisle) reached out — unbelievably so. They check in with me every day." Governor Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, offered the use of the governor's plane to ensure Dent got to Spokane as quickly as possible, he said. He also got a ride from the airport to the hospital. Dent said he's a longtime supporter of more severe penalties for crimes that involve guns and will advocate for that. "No matter what, this is not what a polite society does," he said.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Senate Bill has proposed restrictions on weapons in public spaces
Mar. 12—OLYMPIA — A bill to increase restrictions on firearms in public places has passed in the Washington State Senate. Senate Bill 5098, primarily sponsored by Rep. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, passed the Senate on March 5 with a 28-21 vote. The bill aims to implement restrictions on the possession of weapons in various public spaces throughout Washington state. The legislation is now heading to the Washington House of Representatives. If it becomes law, SB 5098 would prohibit the presence of weapons in locations where children are "likely to be present," including state or local public buildings, parks, playground facilities and county fairs, according to the text of the bill. It defines a "state or local public building" as any building owned, leased or used by government entities where public employees are regularly present. It does not include transportation properties, such as ferry terminals and train depots. The language of the bill notes, "Weapons are prohibited on the premises of a city's, town's, county's or other municipality's neighborhood, community or regional park facilities at which children are likely to be present." It lists specific facilities, such as playgrounds, sports fields, water play areas, community centers and skate parks, as examples of locations falling under this prohibition. The legislation builds upon Senate Bill 5444, also sponsored by Valdez, which was signed into law in 2024. SB 5444 prohibits firearms in libraries, zoos, aquariums and transit centers. Valdez said in a statement that SB 5098 aims to close any loopholes in the current law and strengthen public safety. According to the bill summary, this legislation is a response to increased concerns regarding public safety, particularly in areas frequented by children and families. The bill is sponsored by Senators Valdez; Rebecca Saldaña, D- Seattle; Manka Dhingra, D-Seattle; Noel Frame, D-Seattle; T'wina Nobles, D-Fircrest; Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines; Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle; Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline; Derek Stanford, D-Bothell; Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island and Claire Wilson, D-Auburn. During the vote, 28 Democrats voted yes and two Democrats voted no, including Adrian Cortes from Battle Ground and Claudia Kauffman from Kent. All 19 Republicans in the Senate voted no. To enforce the restrictions, SB 5098 mandates that facilities where weapons are prohibited must post clear signage alerting the public to the weapons ban "at common public access points." This aligns with existing requirements for other restricted locations but specifies that the signage should be posted "as soon as practicable." The bill also stipulates that violation will be classified as a gross misdemeanor, carrying potential legal repercussions for offenders knowingly carrying weapons in designated areas. Committee discussions have revealed a range of opinions regarding the bill. Proponents argue that restricting weapon access in public spaces is a critical step toward enhancing public safety. Supporters testifying at Senate hearings, including public health officials and advocates for gun control, pointed to studies suggesting that imposing restrictions on firearms in sensitive areas leads to a reduction in gun-related violence. Numerous testimonials at hearings, including from parents and community leaders, expressed concern about the impact of gun violence on children's safety and public spaces. "Gun violence remains a persistent crisis in Washington, where someone is killed by a firearm every 12 hours. It is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the state," reads a statement from Valdez. Opponents of SB 5098 raised concerns regarding the implications for gun rights and personal safety. Critics of the bill argued during the hearings the legislation could unduly infringe upon the rights of law-abiding citizens to carry weapons for self-defense. Some also contend that the presence of lawful gun owners does not pose a threat and that the proposed restrictions may lead to unintended consequences, such as increased gun thefts from vehicles as gun owners may be compelled to leave firearms stored in their cars. "They just tried to make more gun-free zones, and pretty soon, you won't be able to carry a weapon anywhere," Rep. Tom Dent, R-Moses Lake, said. "I don't see where they're going to make anything any better. Nothing we've done at this point has improved anything. I think it's just an attempt to make sure that nobody can have a weapon anywhere, which kind of goes against the Second Amendment." Among the minority views expressed during committee hearings, some individuals emphasized that individuals with valid concealed pistol licenses are often trained in firearm use and safety. As such, they argue these individuals should not be barred from carrying weapons in public areas, especially in situations where self-defense may be necessary. "It concerns me that they just keep expanding places where you cannot carry," Dent said. "The thing is, laws like this, law-abiding citizens follow them. People that are going to break the law don't. This is just going to impact law-abiding citizens and not those who are not following the law anyway." The bill also includes specific exemptions. Individuals with a valid concealed pistol license are exempt from prohibitions related to firearms in public buildings, park facilities and county fairs. Additionally, the bill clarifies that it does not apply to military personnel engaged in official duties, security personnel acting in their professional capacity, or correctional officers under certain circumstances. Senate Bill 5098 had its first reading in the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee on March 7. The bill will now make its way through the House process. Senate Bill 5098 Restricting the possession of weapons on the premises of state or local public buildings, parks or playground facilities where children are likely to be present and county fairs and county fair facilities. How a bill becomes a law: 1. A bill may be introduced in either the Senate or House of Representatives by a member. 2. It is referred to a committee for a hearing. The committee studies the bill and may hold public hearings on it. It can then pass, reject or take no action on the bill. 3. The Committee report on the passed bill is read in open session of the House or Senate and the bill is then referred to the Rules Committee unless otherwise ordered by the House or Senate. 4. The Rules Committee can either place the bill on the second reading of the calendar for debate before the entire body, or take no action. 5. At the second reading, a bill is subject to debate and amendment before being placed on the third reading calendar for final passage. 6. After passing one chamber, the bill goes through the same procedure in the other chamber. 7. The bill's chamber or origin must come to an agreement on changes made to the bill by the opposite chamber. 8. When the bill is accepted in both chambers, it is signed by the respective leaders and sent to the governor. 9. The governor signs the bill into law or may veto all or part of it. If the governor fails to act on the bill, it may become law without a signature. SOURCE: WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lincoln Day Dinner draws big crowd
Feb. 25—MOSES LAKE — Members and guests of the Grant County Republican Party gathered Saturday night to discuss the issues, network and fundraise at the annual Lincoln Day dinner. Andrew Koeppen, county chair, said the dinner was sold out. "Our preliminary numbers show this was another record year," Koeppen said. The Lincoln Day Dinner is a longtime annual event for Republicans, and the 2025 dinner featured talks from William Kirk with Washington Gun Law and Mary Dye (R-Pomeroy), who represents the Ninth District in the Washington House of Representatives. Koeppen said it's the party's annual fundraiser and a place for Republicans and others to meet and talk with each other. "There was a lot of discussion and strategizing," he said The Lincoln Day Dinner is also about celebrating what the party stands for, he said, and its history. "It's really about celebrating Lincoln Day and the freedoms that we have," he said. "We're honoring the Republican legacy. It's to celebrate conservatism and (the Republican Party)." In his speech, he said, he outlined what some of those fundamentals are. "Respect, dialogue, personal responsibility, limited government and protection of our freedoms," he said. The 2025 Washington legislative session is in full swing, and Dye outlined some of the bills she's sponsoring, as well as other bills that have been introduced — some good from the Republican perspective, and some bad. Kirk discussed gun laws in Washington, as well as the rights gun owners have under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Koeppen said he highlighted the continuity of change. Trends that seemed firmly established six months or even two months ago have changed, he said. He cited the decrease in people crossing the U.S. borders without documentation. As an immigrant himself, he appreciates the importance of immigration, he said, but the rights and well-being of American citizens should be prioritized. Koeppen said he thinks Grant County can be a leader in bringing some of those changes to the state of Washington. "That's the exciting part about it," he said. The dinner drew officeholders and party members from throughout Grant County, as well as officials from neighboring counties. An auction was part of the evening; Koeppen said it's the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Grant County GOP. "It was a very positive night," he said.
