Sobriety checkpoints – the answer to impaired driving?
This year, in response to several high profile tragedies, the legislature passed SB 5912 – toughening penalties against drunk drivers. Among other things, the bill directed the Washington State Traffic...
House approves DUI reform
Three years ago, Frank Blair received the knock on the door that is every parent’s worst nightmare. His 24-year-old daughter, Sheena, had been killed by a drunk driver. Since that...
45th district representatives host telephone town hall
Last Wednesday, Representatives Larry Springer and Roger Goodman hosted a special session telephone town hall for their constituents. For an hour, the 45th District Legislators heard from many constituents on...
Even abused and neglected children deserve an attorney
At a media briefing last Friday State Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland, along with former State Supreme Court Justice Bobbe Bridge, attorney Casey Trupin from Columbia Legal Services, the American Bar...
It doesn’t have to be this way
In my latest video update I discuss the special session budget stalemate. House Democrats, understanding the importance of passing a budget that fully funds education, recently released a new compromise...
Emergency Impaired Driving Working Group Meeting
Today, Rep. Goodman (D-Kirkland) convened an emergency meeting of his Impaired Driving Working Group. This meeting was called in response to the latest deaths on our roadways at the hands...
Kids to get “early start” on school success under Senate-bound bill
Already a leader in the field of early learning, Washington state would take a giant step toward preparing all kids for success in kindergarten and beyond under far-reaching legislation headed...
This is how laws get introduced: the Hopper
You’ll hear lawmakers talk about “dropping a bill” or “putting a bill in the Hopper.” This is what that actually means. Staff at the Code Reviser’s Office take draft legislation...
Goodman named chair of House Public Safety Committee
Rep. Roger Goodman (D-Kirkland) has been picked to chair the House Public Safety Committee. “In a heartbeat, a violent crime or a natural disaster can take away everything — your...
Rep. Goodman on cannabis legalization: The world is watching, and the hard work has just begun
The voters of Washington state, who turned out in greater numbers — 81 percent –than any other state in the nation, did two brave things in approving marriage equality and...
Garnishment reform signed, more work ahead
OLYMPIA—New reforms to Washington’s garnishment statutes will cut paperwork costs for businesses and allow struggling wage earners to keep more of their money. But Rep. Roger Goodman, the lead sponsor...
New law promotes restorative justice for juvenile offenders
Law reflects state findings on evidence-based crime-fighting OLYMPIA—Gov. Chris Gregoire today signed into law a new “restorative justice” judicial option that encourages non-violent juvenile offenders to take responsibility for their...
New law increases protections for victims of domestic violence
OLYMPIA—New protections for domestic-violence victims who risk being tracked down by their abusers were signed into law today by Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire. The measure sponsored by Rep. Roger Goodman,...
DUI accountability reforms signed into law
Goodman bill to crack down on metal theft also becomes law OLYMPIA—A new law signed Thursday by Gov. Chris Gregoire enacts sweeping changes to DUI statutes that will increase the...
New law makes life harder for drunk drivers with kids in the car
OLYMPIA—Driving drunk with a child in the car will soon cost you more. Much more. A new law signed today by Gov. Chris Gregoire requires courts to impose an additional...
Sweeping DUI reforms pass unanimously as session winds down
OLYMPIA—Just hours before the end of the 2012 regular session, state representatives and senators voted unanimously to pass sweeping drunk-driving reforms that increase the accountability of drunk drivers and make...
Legislature approves restorative justice for juvenile offenders
OLYMPIA—The state Senate voted 48-0 today to authorize a new evidence-based judicial option that encourages juvenile offenders to take responsibility for their actions and promotes a better understanding of how...
House unites to pass sweeping reforms to combat drunk driving
OLYMPIA—State representatives shared stories of people killed and families destroyed by drunk driving as they united behind sweeping reforms to crack down on drunk drivers and provide more help to...
House moves to keep domestic-violence victims safe from their abusers
OLYMPIA—The House of Representatives voted unanimously today for state Rep. Roger Goodman’s proposal to increase protections for victims of domestic violence who risk being hunted down and hurt again by...
Legislation by Rep. Goodman would protect victims of stalkers
Rep. Roger Goodman testifying in favor of House Bill 1180, which would strengthen protections for victims of stalking and harassment.
Prosecutors and jurors testify in favor of Rep. Goodman’s rape victim shield law
OLYMPIA — Juror No. 1 from a seven-week rape trial told lawmakers the current system lets accused rapists abuse their victims in the courtroom by acting as their own attorneys...
Rape victims to testify Wednesday for Rep. Goodman’s rape shield law
WHO & WHAT Rape victim advocates and judges — including the chief justice of the Supreme Court — are among those expected to testify in favor of House Bill 1001,...
New law by Rep. Goodman would protect rape victims
New law by Rep. Goodman would protect rape victims HB 1001 bans accused rapists from cross-examining victims in court OLYMPIA — Rape victims wouldn’t be victimized again in court by...