News

Taking aim at the hidden cost of gun violence | January 12, 2016

The echo of gunfire from violent crime may reverberate through society for years, leaving hidden costs to be borne by communities already grieving for their families, friends, and neighbors. Two… READ MORE

A quick note before the holidays | November 24, 2015

A Time for Compassion Our 41st legislative district, encompassing one of the most diverse zip codes in the US, benefits from the cultural and religious diversity, entrepreneurial spirit, differing viewpoints… READ MORE

Group of House Democrats sends letter to Inslee supporting acceptance of refugees | November 23, 2015

OLYMPIA – Today a group of 18 House Democrats sent a letter to Governor Inslee commending his leadership in the potential resettlement of thousands of families and orphans from war-torn… READ MORE

Mental Health Care for our Kids | October 30, 2015

As a member of a House leadership task force on mental health, I have been discussing needed improvements and system changes for our mental health system on top of the… READ MORE

Looking at the state of education in Washington | October 14, 2015

Education: This Year and Next  Issues around education have been making steady headlines in our papers and in our communities, from teacher strikes and the McCleary court case, to charter… READ MORE

Statement from Rep. Tana Senn on being named an Overall City Champion by Association of Washington Cities | September 16, 2015

In recognition for her “consistent focus on advocating for the interests of cities” by the Association of Washington Cities, State Representative Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) released the following statement: “I… READ MORE

Washington in Danger of Being Left Behind on Equal Pay | August 27, 2015

California joins Oregon in passing Equal Pay legislation as Washington Senate flails OLYMPIA – Despite existing state laws, Washington lags behind much of the country in equal pay for women…. READ MORE

Capital and Transportation Budgets Update from Rep. Senn | July 31, 2015

Last week I updated you on the operating budget, which made strong investments in education and our social safety net (If you missed last week’s e-newsletter, read it here.). The… READ MORE

Rep. Senn honored by King County Coalition for People with Developmental Disabilities | July 28, 2015

Inspiration Playground, Social Emotional Learning major highlights of her work this year OLYMPIA – As one of the lead members on developmental disabilities on the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee,… READ MORE

Budget Update: Education and Social Safety Net from Rep. Senn | July 17, 2015

Well, we made it! With the passage of the 2015-2017 operating budget and a new 16-year transportation package, the House and Senate have finally adjourned for the year. By closing… READ MORE

Statement from Rep. Tana Senn on Passage of Transportation Package | July 1, 2015

“Late last night, the Washington State House of Representatives voted on an important transportation revenue package that reflects years of negotiation. A transportation package stalled in the senate two years… READ MORE

Policy Highlights in Education | June 8, 2015

While the news lately has been all about budget negotiations which are still ongoing, I want to share good news about some education policies that may have flown below the… READ MORE

Rep. Senn presents award to faculty of Marysville-Pilchuck High School | May 28, 2015

I recently had the opportunity to present the first annual Champion for Children Award to the faculty and staff of Marysville Pilchuck High School for their actions during last year’s… READ MORE

Where we are on mental health and marijuana | May 15, 2015

Hello friends, It’s an unfortunate reality that special session is needed in order to finish the budget process. While I was hopeful and optimistic we could finish on time, Senate… READ MORE

Tolling, Transportation & Local Projects: An Update From Rep. Senn | April 21, 2015

A Video Update: Tolling Problems And How We’re Fixing Them   Recently a constituent emailed my office with a specific problem with how the Department of Transportation deals with fines… READ MORE

Thoughts on the budget from Rep. Senn | April 16, 2015

Hello from Olympia! Budget negotiations have begun! As House and Senate budget leaders gather to hammer out the differences between their two proposals, there are some ‘must dos,’ including education,… READ MORE

Statement from Rep. Tana Senn on Equal Pay Day | April 13, 2015

OLYMPIA – Representative Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island, today released the following statement: “April 14 is Equal Pay Day. It marks another year since the Equal Pay Act passed and yet… READ MORE

Legislative update: The House and Senate budgets | April 8, 2015

A couple of weeks ago, the House released our budget that puts us on the path to fully funding education and fixing many of the holes left from the Great… READ MORE

Legislative Update from Rep. Tana Senn: Equal Pay and Education Funding | March 18, 2015

We’ve had another exciting week, with bills passing and our town hall meeting with constituents. Watch my legislative update below. Town Hall   Last Saturday, the 41st legislative district held… READ MORE

Read Rep. Tana Senn’s Op-Ed in the Seattle Times on the Gender Wage Gap | March 16, 2015

IT was 1943. Our country was at war, women were filling job openings left by departing soldiers, rotary dial telephones were the norm and a computer’s weight was measured in… READ MORE

Hear Rep. Tana Senn on KUOW discussing Equal Pay | March 12, 2015

Equal Pay Opportunity Act Passes State House | March 11, 2015

OLYMPIA – Despite the state’s 1943 Equal Pay law, the gap between men and women’s pay remains. In fact, women in Washington state made just 79 cents to the man’s… READ MORE

Computer Science Education and Paid Sick and Safe Leave | March 9, 2015

Greetings! It’s been quite an exciting time down here in Olympia these past few weeks! I’ve gotten to vote on several important issues including oil train safety, limiting toxic flame… READ MORE

Join Rep. Tana Senn and the 41st District Legislators for a Town Hall Meeting | March 6, 2015

Who: State Reps. Tana Senn and Judy Clibborn, and Sen. Steve Litzow What: Town hall meeting When: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2015 Where: Somerset Elementary School,… READ MORE

Rep. Tana Senn’s comments from the floor on Paid Sick Leave | March 4, 2015

Below are the comments from Rep. Tana Senn’s floor speech during the debate on Paid Sick Leave, which passed in the House yesterday. “Mr. Speaker, I’m one of those people… READ MORE

Legislative Update from Rep. Tana Senn | February 19, 2015

Social emotional learning needed for our children Education and mental health stand out as two of the most important issues facing the legislature this session. In an effort to address… READ MORE

Reps. Judy Clibborn and Tana Senn on memorial for former Rep. Ida Ballasiotes | February 19, 2015

OLYMPIA—During a somber joint session in the Capitol building yesterday, members from the House and Senate met to honor former Washington elected officials who have passed away in the last… READ MORE

Hello from Olympia! A legislative update from Rep. Tana Senn | February 13, 2015

Hello from Olympia!   We are well into the 2015 legislative session here in Olympia and I wanted to let you know about some of the work we are doing…. READ MORE

LEGISLATIVE NEWS: Bipartisan bill meshes education and mental health | February 11, 2015

OLYMPIA–Incorporating social and emotional learning into academic preparation is the focus of new legislation proposed by two Mercer Island lawmakers. The bills, sponsored by Sen. Steve Litzow and Rep. Tana… READ MORE

Rep. Senn’s introduces bi-partisan bill to address social-emotional learning standards | February 9, 2015

State Rep. Tana Senn recognizes the importance of good mental health skills in order to achieve academic success. That’s why she introduced HB 1760, which has bipartisan support in both… READ MORE

Rep. Senn’s Pay Disparity Bill Receives Media Coverage | February 4, 2015

Rep. Senn introduced HB 1646 to require employers to explain why they pay employees differently. Her legislation, an effort to determine why pay disparities exist between men and women, has received… READ MORE

Rep. Tana Senn talks education, transportation, and mental health. | January 26, 2015

Click the link to See Rep. Senn’s first video update of the 2015 legislative session.

Cleveland, Senn sponsor Equal Pay Opportunity Act | January 22, 2015

OLYMPIA – Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, and Rep. Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island, today announced their sponsorship of legislation to help close the gap in pay among female workers. The Equal Pay… READ MORE

ADVISORY: Rep. Senn and Sen. Cleveland to introduce Equal Pay Opportunity Act | January 21, 2015

Who: State Rep. Tana Senn, D-Mercer Island (41st Legislative District) State Sen. Annette Cleveland, D- Vancouver (49th Legislative District) What: Press Availability When: 12:00 – 1:00 January 22, 2015 Where:… READ MORE

Rep. Senn elected to important House Appropriations Committee | January 8, 2015

OLYMPIA – Early last month Rep. Tana Senn was elected by her colleagues to serve on several influential committees including Appropriations and the Early Learning & Human Services Committee. Additionally,… READ MORE

Rep. Tana Senn selected for Early Learning Fellows Program, appointed to State Building Code Council | May 9, 2014

Rep. Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island) has been selected as one of 20 legislators across the country to take part in the National Conference of State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Early Learning Fellows Program…. READ MORE

Video update! Legislative wrap-up… | April 15, 2014

Rep. Tana Senn gives a legislative wrap-up of some of the successes and disappointments of the 2014 legislative session.

Child welfare: Continue federal home-visiting program funding | March 28, 2014

Rep. Senn’s first piece of legislation was highlighted in a recent Seattle Times Op-Ed. The piece highlights the benefits of early intervention in the lives of vulnerable youth.   Letter… READ MORE

2014 Session Wrap-Up | March 28, 2014

It is good to be home after a short, but exhausting, 60 day session. I hope you will take some time to read through this brief update on the 2014… READ MORE

Senn statement on respecting holidays of faith and conscience | March 6, 2014

Today the House passed SB 5173, a bill that will provide employees two days of unpaid time off from work and allow children to be excused from school for their… READ MORE

Rep. Tana Senn’s statement on HB 2377; an act improving quality in the early care and learning system. | February 20, 2014

HB 2377, also known as The Early Start Act, passed the house on February 18th. The bill creates incentives and requirements designed to improve access and quality of early learning… READ MORE

House passes measure increasing access to early childhood education opportunities | February 14, 2014

Representative Tana Senn’s (D-Mercer Island) first bill passed the House floor yesterday by a strong bi-partisan vote of 90-8 and now heads to the Senate for consideration. The goal of… READ MORE

Rep. Tana Senn’s statements on ESHB 1313; Washington’s first paid Sick and Safe Leave bill | January 29, 2014

“I was honored to speak today in support of ESHB 1313, Washington’s Paid Sick and Safe Leave bill, which provides paid leave for workers who are ill or caring for… READ MORE

Senn named vice chair of Environment Committee | January 27, 2014

State Rep. Tana Senn’s responsibilities in the 2014 legislative session have shifted into a significantly higher gear. Just appointed this past September to serve in the Legislature, Senn today accepted… READ MORE

Rep. Senn delivers message supporting “Moms Demand Action” | January 23, 2014

Rep. Senn spoke on the steps of the legislative building in support of Moms Demand Action. Click the above link to watch the video.

Rep. Senn testifies before the House Environment Committee | January 22, 2014

Rep. Senn discusses State Park Partnerships before her colleagues on the House Environment committee. Click the above link to view the video.

Rep. Senn delivers 2014 Children’s Day speech | January 21, 2014

With her family in attendance, Representative Senn had the honor of delivering the Children’s Day speech to the House on Monday January 20th. Click the above link to watch the… READ MORE

Rep. Senn introduces small business tax relief measure | January 20, 2014

A bill sponsored by Representative Tana Senn (D-Mercer Island), in conjunction with a request from Governor Jay Inslee, would modify the filing threshold for businesses in Washington bringing much needed… READ MORE

Rep. Senn appointed to three committees | January 14, 2014

State Rep. Tana Senn has been appointed to positions on the Early Learning & Human Services Committee, Capital Budget Committee and Environment Committee, This is the lineup Senn pursued after… READ MORE

Meet a new legislator: Tana Senn, 41st District | November 21, 2013

​Rep. Tana Senn is the newest member of Team House Democratic Caucus, having received unanimous King County Council appointment to the Legislature just this past September. Tana (pronounced “TAW-na”) was… READ MORE

Senn calls aerospace package ‘a great economic win for our region’ | November 9, 2013

State Rep. Tana Senn, recently appointed unanimously by the King County Council to fulfill an open legislative seat, hit the ground running here in Olympia this week with today’s approval… READ MORE

Mercer Island Patch: Tana Senn Sworn as 41st District State Representative | September 10, 2013

From the Mercer Island Patch: The Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously appointed Tana Senn to the vacant Washington state House seat in the 41st Legislative District. Senn will replace… READ MORE