Washington state veteran hiring program begins Oct. 1

Washington state veteran hiring program begins Oct. 1

“Veterans offer unique skills and leadership abilities that translate directly into a variety of jobs in our state,” said Washington Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn... “With veterans doing so much for our country it is also our responsibility to help them build a bridge back to civilian life.”

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Senator Joe Fain Joins Growing Camp of Republicans Endorsing I-732

Senator Joe Fain Joins Growing Camp of Republicans Endorsing I-732

“Washington will eventually take action to lower our state’s carbon footprint. The question before us is whether that decision should be about sound environmental policy or merely a backdoor to increasing taxes and growing government,”

Washington Should Steer Lightly As Driverless Cars Inch Toward Mainstream

Washington Should Steer Lightly As Driverless Cars Inch Toward Mainstream

Like other states, Washington will be confronted with a big question in coming years: how its surface transportation infrastructure will be transformed by driverless cars, and what role government should play.

New state law reduces barrier to addiction recovery

New state law reduces barrier to addiction recovery

A first-in-the-nation new law providing for privileged communication between a person undergoing drug or alcohol addiction treatment and their recovery sponsor goes into effect today in Washington state.

The change sponsored by state Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, recognizes the important role sponsors play in substance abuse treatment by providing support, advice and accountability for recovering addicts.

Constitutional amendment a must for balancing state budget

Constitutional amendment a must for balancing state budget

Budgeting requires difficult decisions and a commitment to governing. In 2012, a bipartisan coalition of senators instituted an important fiscal reform: the four-year balanced-budget law. Washington is the first state with this check on budget gimmicks, our greatest defense against self-inflicted financial chaos.

Amid national push, state lawmakers consider student free-press protections

Amid national push, state lawmakers consider student free-press protections

Senate Bill 6233, sponsored by Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, follows a wave of efforts nationwide to clarify students’ rights to free speech in publications and broadcasts, regardless of whether students are participating in a class or if schools financially support the media.

State lawmakers want to make it easier for women to get birth control

State lawmakers want to make it easier for women to get birth control

“We have to lower the barriers to women having access to reproductive health care,” said state Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, the majority floor leader in the Senate who is a co-sponsor of both bills.

“One of the easiest ways to do that is to take a medicine and a technology that has been around for decades, that has proven to be safe, that is used by millions of women each year, and make it easier for them to access it,” Fain said.

South King County community and business leaders visit state Capitol

South King County community and business leaders visit state Capitol

Members of the Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound visited the Washington State Capitol in Olympia as guests of Sen. Joe Fain Wednesday. The group toured the campus, listened to leaders from the Legislature and state agencies, while getting a behind the scenes look at how legislation goes from an idea to law.

Auburn's job support for people with disabilities recognized statewide

Auburn's job support for people with disabilities recognized statewide

Auburn residents are well represented when it comes to job support and training for people with disabilities. The City of Auburn and state Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, were recognized by the Community Employment Alliance at the group's annual meeting in Snoqualmie on Oct. 7.

Hundreds hear homeless stories during annual Reach Out fundraiser in Federal Way

Hundreds hear homeless stories during annual Reach Out fundraiser in Federal Way

“My trunk became my closet and my glove compartment became my lingerie drawer,” Khalid said in a video, as hundreds of people in the audience — including Khalid herself — watched her story unfold on a big screen during Reach Out's annual breakfast fundraiser on Tuesday morning at the Christian Faith Center.

Improving the odds for young people leaving foster care

Improving the odds for young people leaving foster care

Transitioning into adulthood can be a daunting experience... Think about how difficult this transition would be if the home or homes you grew up in were no longer an option and you couldn’t turn to your parents for guidance or financial help.

Thousands more children to receive full-day kindergarten

Thousands more children to receive full-day kindergarten

"It's our responsibility to ensure all students receive a quality education," Fain said. "All-day kindergarten expansion is prioritized for schools with the most at-risk students from low-income and minority families, who are disproportionately left behind by our current education system. This will help students begin their academic career on the right track and ensure a child's academic achievement is not determined by their zip code."

City launches construction of community and youth center

City launches construction of community and youth center

The community center is a from-ground-up project. Its heart will be a 3,500-square-foot multi-purpose room, offering enough space for 200-275 people and dividable into three rooms. Shared spaces between the buildings are to include a lobby, some outdoor gathering areas and a teaching and warming kitchen, which the project realizes by renovating and expanding the kitchen.