Senator Doug Ericksen

Senate passage of two-thirds-for-taxes rule ensures taxes will be last resort, say Baumgartner, Ericksen Endorsed six times by Washington voters, thrown out by Supreme Court. Senate rule uses different mechanism, has same effect. Requires two-thirds vote of Senate for any bill raising taxes. OLYMPIA – New rules adopted by the Senate Wednesday extend the state’s popular two-thirds-for-taxes rule, the taxpayer-protection measure requiring a two-thirds... Read More...

Ericksen retains key committee assignments in 2017 Legislature OLYMPIA – State Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, retains key committee assignments as lawmakers get set for the 2017 legislative session. Ericksen remains chair of the Senate Energy, Environment and Telecommunications Committee, the panel that oversees energy supply, consumption and conservation, energy policy, and telephone, cable, Internet and other communication technologies.... Read More...

Ericksen introduces Preventing Economic Disruption Act   Targets illegal acts intended to disrupt the economy Holds planners and organizers of illegal acts accountable Protects 1st Amendment rights of free speech, assembly, and petition OLYMPIA – Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, introduced the Preventing Economic Disruption Act (PEDA) Thursday for consideration during the 2017 legislative session. Senate Bill... Read More...

Baumgartner, Ericksen to seek reinstatement of two-thirds-for-taxes rule in Senate — Will require two-thirds approval of Senate to advance tax bills to final passage — Different mechanism but same effect as popular taxpayer protection measure   — Will challenge any adverse ruling from lieutenant governor OLYMPIA – Sens. Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane, and Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, will seek reinstatement of a two-thirds-for-taxes... Read More...

Legal challenges to carbon-cap rule expose Inslee abuse of authority, Ericksen says Utilities, industry find numerous grounds for challenge. Governor’s fellow Democrats rejected similar plan in 2009. Plan will hurt working families, Washington industry, with no measurable benefit. OLYMPIA – A new spate of legal challenges to Gov. Jay Inslee’s carbon-cap rule is not just expected but thoroughly warranted, Sen. Doug Ericksen,... Read More...

42nd District lawmakers set town hall meeting at WWU campus May 17 OLYMPIA — Whatcom County lawmakers will hold a town hall meeting at Western Washington University May 17, hosted by student organizations. Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, and Reps. Luanne Van Werven and Vincent Buys, both R-Lynden, will answer questions from students and the public. The three lawmakers represent the 42nd District,... Read More...

Ericksen blasts government-funded campaign attacking Washington farmers  Billboards, bus ads in Olympia and Bellingham blame farmers for water pollution  Lobbying campaign aimed at Legislature is run through third-party organizations  Funding comes from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency OLYMPIA – Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, is raising big objections to a lobbying campaign that blames Washington farmers... Read More...

Ericksen: Partial veto of Colstrip bill demonstrates Inslee doesn’t care about working families, jobs or the economy — SB 6248 was a solid compromise protecting Washington ratepayers, Montana workers — Inslee veto demonstrates governor’s lack of concern for working families — Nothing in bill forces shutdown of coal-fired energy facilities or sets timeline for closure OLYMPIA—Washington Gov. Jay Inslee Friday vetoed a key section of a bill... Read More...

Legislature’s budget deals boost Whatcom County, Ericksen says — $3 million for Alcoa worker training — Finishes Guide Meridian Road project, builds Thornton Road overpass in Ferndale — Toxics cleanup get priority, benefitting Bellingham Bay and Blaine Harbor OLYMPIA – A final agreement in this year’s Legislature on the state operating budget invests $3 million in the survival... Read More...

Ericksen blasts poorly-advertised commission hearing on men-in-women’s-showers rule — Human Rights Commission schedules oddly-timed Thursday-night hearing on issue — Petitioners seek to repeal rule opening bathrooms, showers to all — Inconvenient, poorly publicized hearing makes letters, emails important OLYMPIA – State Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, says the state Human Rights Commission is holding another poorly-publicized, oddly-timed public meeting... Read More...