Put transportation first, Sheldon says As Legislature adjourns, Sheldon opposes taxes, budget; votes to keep transportation package alive To see video of floor speech, click here. OLYMPIA – As the Washington Legislature prepared to adjourn its 2021 regular session Sunday, state Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, voted against the operating budget, a new state income tax,... Read More...

Sheldon introduces bill providing relief from legal financial obligations More flexibility for judges could reduce recidivism OLYMPIA – A bill giving judges more leeway in imposing legal financial obligations during criminal sentencing was introduced Tuesday by Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, with the idea of raising the issue for the 2022 legislative session. Washington lawmakers are in the final week... Read More...

Idaho congressman’s dam-breaching proposal ignores looming power shortage Water spills at Lower Granite Dam, one of the four dams on the lower Snake River salmon advocates have targeted for breaching. File Tri-City Herald The following op-ed appeared in the Tri-City Herald April 4, 2021. By Sens. Mark Schoesler, Judy Warnick, and Tim Sheldon Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson doesn’t... Read More...

Dodging public vote on capital gains shows elitism The following op-ed appeared in weekly newspapers during the week of March 29. By SEN. TIM SHELDON Contributor   This will sound funny anywhere outside Olympia, but there is a question that for years has stumped half the Legislature. If an income tax is so good for the people of... Read More...

Sheldon backs legislative Phase 3 plan, urges governor to come up with own plan Bipartisan plan to reopen state comes at governor’s invitation – Legislature also could pass bill itself OLYMPIA – State Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, cosponsor of a bipartisan legislative plan to reopen businesses and schools across the state, says lawmakers are responding to an invitation from the governor, and it’s about... Read More...

Sheldon says starter income-tax bill is end-run around the people One of four Democrats to vote against measure – calls it dishonest tactic to avoid public vote To see floor speech, click here. OLYMPIA – State Sen. Tim Sheldon says Saturday’s vote for a starter income tax in the state Senate is historic – because it shows the lengths income-tax... Read More...

Passage of gun bill illustrates urban indifference to rural concerns, Sheldon says To see video of floor speech, click here. OLYMPIA – A bill placing new restrictions on “open-carry” rules illustrates an urban lack of understanding of rural concerns, says state Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch. Senate Bill 5038 bans the open carrying of firearms in public places while demonstrations are taking place,... Read More...

Mason, Kitsap counties to move to Phase Two, but still a long way to go, Sheldon says Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement that Mason and Kitsap counties will move to Phase 2 of the state’s COVID lockdown plan, together with most other areas of the state. The change will permit restaurants to resume indoor dining, allow gyms... Read More...

When the public’s away, the Legislature shouldn’t play The following op-ed appeared in the Kitsap Sun Jan. 3, 2021. By Sen. Tim Sheldon Guest column After 30 years at the statehouse, I’ve been around longer than anybody in the Legislature. And I can tell you, our next legislative session is going to be one of the most trying... Read More...

Sheldon blames governor for state’s worsening economic crisis, calls no-special-session decision irresponsible Longest-serving lawmaker cites Inslee ‘failure of leadership’ – governor has shut out Legislature and people Click here to read the complete text of Sen. Sheldon’s address, “The Cure Shouldn’t be Worse than the Disease.” OLYMPIA – In a blistering address to the Washington Public Utility District Association, Sen. Tim Sheldon,... Read More...