Dear friends and neighbors, This week was the governor’s deadline for vetoing or signing bills into law. We are now officially finished with one of the most challenging sessions we’ve had since I started in the Legislature. We ended on time, with a balanced budget — but we had to make difficult decisions to get to the finish line. Fortunately, we were able to preserve a lot of what we all care about — support for our public ...
Read More
Latest News
About Sen. Hansen
Drew Hansen (D-Bainbridge Island) was appointed to represent the 23rd Legislative District in the Washington State Senate in 2023. Hansen, who has served in the state House of Representatives since 2011, has focused on opening up opportunities for people in Kitsap County to get trained for good jobs that support their families. His work to build partnerships with Olympic College, Western Washington University, and apprenticeship programs has transformed lives across the district.
In the House, Hansen chaired the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee since 2020 and before that, he chaired the House Higher Education Committee from 2014 to 2020. Hansen has led efforts on historic legislation in recent years, including this year’s Shield Law (HB 1469) to protect those who pursue or provide legal reproductive care in the state.
Read Sen. Hansen’s full biography here.
In the News
KING5: Washington lawmaker proposes new limits on ICE access to schools, hospitals and daycares
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash — Washington lawmakers are considering legislation that would require ...
Read More
KIRO7: Right to wheelchair repair bill signed into law
People who use wheelchairs to get around Washington will soon have more ...
Read More
WA State Standard: Lobbying the Legislature from behind bars
Charles Longshore is the author of a bill Washington lawmakers considered this year that would have ...
Read More
WA State Standard: WA lawmakers consider free prison phone calls to help keep families connected
Washington Sen. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island, knew that the state charged people ...
Read More
Dallas Observer: Ken Paxton’s Shakedown of Seattle Hospital Warning of ‘Tyranny,’ Critics Say
Texas hates it when progressive ideas encroach on our conservative turf, but ...
Read More
The Washington Post: Seattle hospital sues Texas AG who sought records of trans minors
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) tried to compel a Seattle hospital ...
Read More
PBS NewsHour: Formerly incarcerated lawmaker reflects on breaking down barriers after prison
Tarra Simmons is the first formerly incarcerated state legislator in Washington state. ...
Read More
NYT: Washington State Moves Toward Free and Reduced College Tuition, With Businesses Footing the Bill
State lawmakers have taken a major step toward offering free or reduced ...
Read More
Crosscut: Free college is coming for WA families making under $50K
For years, Washington state has failed to fully fund its financial-aid program ...
Read More
Seattle Times: 110,000 Washington students a year will get money for college, many a free ride
Starting in 2020, more Washington residents will be able to attend college ...
Read More