News Releases

Upon the announcement of proclamation 20-58 by Governor Inslee, Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) released the following statement:

The governor’s action today to strengthen our state’s SharedWork program will remove barriers to partial employment for many workers who have been furloughed and will help keep small businesses, non-profits, and local governments solvent during this crisis. Washington’s SharedWork is a proven win-win program ...

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April 30, 2020 WHO: Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), Reps. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) and Mia Gregerson (D-Seatac) of the 33rd Legislative District will be joined by Dr. Charissa Fotinos, deputy chief medical officer for the Washington State Health Care Authority. WHAT: A Facebook Live Community Conversation. WHEN: 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 WHERE: On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1213781995492392/.  You can sign up there ahead of time ...

A new law signed today by Gov. Inslee will create groundbreaking new options for people with developmental disabilities, including community care close to home, nursing home care, and state centers of excellence. “This is a major turning point in the long debate about our state’s RHCs, rehabilitation centers for people with developmental disabilities,” said Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), the sponsor ...

The Senate and House Democratic caucuses have requested that the federal government unlock disaster unemployment assistance for thousands of independent contractors in Washington who are losing work during the coronavirus pandemic. Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), who authored the letter, said: "The American workplace has changed and thousands of workers who are independent contractors—from hairdressers to high tech coders—do not qualify ...

With final Senate votes today, two bills sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) to curb sharply rising prescription drug prices have now passed the Legislature with broad bipartisan support and will go to the governor for his signature. “Prescription drug costs are out of control,” said Keiser. “Our constituents can’t wait. The taxpayers can’t wait. This is a major step ...

After the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee today heard and passed HB 2638, which would legalize and regulate some sports betting in tribal facilities, committee chair Karen Keiser released the following statement: “I myself am not a great fan of either sports or betting. Gambling brings with it the threat of addiction and corruption. That’s why it’s wise for our ...

Halfway through the legislative session, the state Senate has passed a wide array of legislation to help working families by raising workplace standards and expanding collective bargaining rights. “The bills we have passed will go a long way toward making Washington a better place to work,” said Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), the chair of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee. ...

The Senate has passed three bills sponsored by Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) that would rein in sharply rising prescription drug prices. “Prescription drug costs are out of control,” said Keiser. “Our constituents can’t wait. The taxpayers can’t wait. We have to do something about this increase in costs.” The three bills that the Senate passed take on insulin costs as well ...

OLYMPIA — Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) has filed a suite of bills to rein in sharply rising prescription drug prices. “This is a crisis,” said Keiser. “My colleagues and I hear every day from constituents who can’t afford their medication anymore, people who have to choose between prescriptions and rent. “We have a responsibility to curb excessive costs of critical prescription ...

OLYMPIA — Upon the announcement by the state Department of Labor & Industries of a new rule expanding overtime protections for salaried workers in Washington state, Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), chair of the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee, released the following statement: “Why have wages remained flat ever since the Great Recession? Here’s one reason: Millions of salaried workers ...