DID YOU KNOW… Senate Democrats are considering another $400 million in new taxes? • New taxes on recording fees, cell phones poised for votes in Senate • Escape attention amid proposals for income tax, big new energy taxes • Would drive up cost of housing, phone service • Disproportionate impact on working families, low-income households OLYMPIA – Proposals for big new taxes are... Read More...

Senate Democrats pass 55-cent increase in gas taxes, as Ericksen makes stand for working families To see floor speech, click here.  Higher fuel prices are top priority for majority Democrats Ericksen says needs of working families come first Bills would have far-reaching effect on economy, stifling jobs, driving up cost of living No measurable impact on environment expected OLYMPIA – A pair of bills that... Read More...

Freedom Caucus battles discrimination as vaccination status becomes civil rights issue • Bill would prohibit discrimination based on COVID vaccination status • Proposals for ‘COVID passports,’ employer actions show urgency of issue • Leaves decision a matter of personal choice OLYMPIA – Discrimination based on vaccination status is a civil rights issue, and should be prohibited by law, say members of... Read More...

Senate Democrats’ budget sends spending skyrocketing and hands bill to middle class, Ericksen says To see video of floor speech, click here. OLYMPIA – A $59 billion state budget passed by majority Senate Democrats Thursday is based on big tax increases and missed opportunities, says Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale. Rather than offer struggling Washington families relief from taxes as the state recovers from the... Read More...

Freedom Caucus calls for responsible spending of $15 B in stimulus funds for Washington ‘Freedom Fund’ stimulus plan puts emphasis on people, not government Freedom Caucus lays out priorities for spending federal funds One-time money should be used for one-time purposes Investments should benefit people, not bureaucracy or special interests OLYMPIA – Federal COVID-19 stimulus money ought to go where it will do the... Read More...

Freedom Caucus delivers sustainable, taxpayer-friendly transportation plan OLYMPIA… In a Wednesday news conference, members of the Senate Freedom Caucus unveiled their new transportation-funding proposal, pushing back on a package recently put forth by the Democratic Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee and building on the plan from the ranking Republican on the committee. Senators Phil Fortunato, Doug... Read More...

Under grilling from Ericksen, Ecology rep admits targeting of oil industry is ‘political’ Inslee cap-and-trade bill would force billion-dollar burden on refiners, motorists, others Bill gives a break to most big exporters – but not refiners WA refiners export $2B of product annually, state’s 5th largest export Decision to target refiners and motorists a “political call,” says Ecology rep To see video of... Read More...

Sen. Ericksen fights to reopen Whatcom County Amendments from Ericksen, Republicans defeated by Democratic majority as Senate passes COVID relief bill Proposes moving state to “Phase 2,” allowing restaurants, other businesses to reopen Joins in battle to reopen schools Both amendments defeated by Democratic majority To see video of Sen. Ericksen’s floor speech, click here. OLYMPIA –... Read More...

Sen. Doug Ericksen to host telephone town hall meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16 OLYMPIA – State Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, will hold a telephone town hall meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16, to discuss latest developments from Olympia and their impact on Whatcom County’s 42nd Legislative District. The telephone town hall meeting runs from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. To join the meeting, call (360)... Read More...

Watch Sen. Doug Ericksen’s remarks on public exclusion from the Legislature Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, offered these remarks Feb. 4, 2021, during a meeting of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee. Remarks came during discussion of Senate Bill 5227, a bill requiring public colleges and universities to launch mandatory racial training programs. To see video, click here.   “One... Read More...