Ericksen announces ‘Freedom Package’ of bills protecting individual rights Bills aim to protect citizens against intrusive government, promote individual freedoms Tackle government surveillance, Internet privacy, mandatory COVID vaccinations, efforts to silence political speech Individual rights under attack, Ericksen says  OLYMPIA – Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, is announcing a “Freedom Package” of bills designed to protect the constitutional rights and... Read More...

Ericksen calls for focus on COVID relief as committee sessions open To see video, click here. Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, offered this kickoff statement as the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee held its first meeting of the 2021 legislative session on Jan. 12. Ericksen is ranking Republican on the committee, which, under Democratic leadership, is planning to consider a raft... Read More...

Ericksen proposal to focus Legislature’s attention on COVID relief shot down by Senate Ds Will allow Dems to promote income tax, higher energy prices in session mostly off-limits to public COVID precautions force sharp restrictions on public access. Ericksen plan would have limited Legislature to COVID relief issues, budgets. Majority Democrats pushing sweeping agenda including income tax, proposal to increase cost of fuel A... Read More...

Upcoming hearing on income tax plan underscores need for limits on 2021 Legislature, Ericksen says Ericksen resolution Monday would head off Democrats’ income-tax drive before it can begin Governor’s income tax plan gets hearing Thursday, kicking off tax campaign Public will be kept at distance due to COVID restrictions Underscores urgency of limiting topics for 2021 session OLYMPIA – Legislative Democrats will formally kick off... Read More...

Ericksen introduces resolution declaring emergency 30-day session on COVID issues Lawmakers shouldn’t debate income tax, radical agenda when public is kept at a distance, Ericksen says Ericksen resolution keeps Legislature to emergency-related bills, “must-do” legislation. Will be advanced during rules debate as 2021 session opens Monday. When Legislature restrains public, lawmakers should restrain themselves. OLYMPIA – Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale,... Read More...

Ericksen bill would protect individual rights amid rush to vaccinate Bill would prohibit discrimination based on COVID vaccination status Would block vaccination requirements for employment, school, travel, entry to public places Leaves decision a matter of personal choice Legislation isn’t pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine, but pro- individual rights. OLYMPIA – As a COVID vaccine is rolled out nationwide, individual rights and... Read More...

Ericksen says next legislative session should be limited to crisis-related measures Bad idea to debate income tax, other big proposals, when public has to stay home COVID restrictions will limit public access, involvement Health and economic emergencies should be legislature’s focus Tax hikes, sweeping policy changes should wait until public has chance to fully weigh in If Gov. Jay Inslee and... Read More...

New COVID restrictions point up need for special session, public involvement, Ericksen says Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, released the following statement Monday in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement of new COVID restrictions and a renewed lockdown of restaurants, bars and other businesses. “COVID is serious business, but I have great concern about this new lockdown order. Whatever we do as a state... Read More...

Ericksen announces proposal to improve elections security, restore public trust in system  Would increase public confidence by returning state to in-person polling-place voting.  Valid ID would be required and voting machines would have to establish a paper trail.  Absentee ballots would continue to be available on request, in-person voting options would be available prior to an election, and general-election... Read More...

Ericksen calls on Ecology to stop plans for water rights adjudication in Nooksack basin Similar effort in Yakima basin took 42 years to resolve — Nooksack adjudication would be twice as big, twice as complex — Ericksen will oppose any legislative appropriation for Nooksack adjudication — Would create great uncertainty, cloud property rights, land values — Other issues need to be resolved before adjudication... Read More...