OLYMPIA, Wash. — In the wake of recent events including the social media censorship of President Trump, a local state senator is proposing new legal protections.
42nd District Republican Senator Doug Ericksen of Ferndale says basic freedoms are at stake.
Ericksen said one of the things seen around the country is a chilling effect on free speech rights.
Ericksen’s “Freedom Package” of bills introduced this week addresses government surveillance, Internet privacy, mandatory COVID vaccinations and efforts to silence political speech.
Senate bill 5108 would eliminate secret surveillance scoring.
Under Senate bill 5109, the attorney general’s office would be prohibited from seeking penalties that would bar individuals from participating in the political arena.
5112 would require ISPs to offer virtual private network service, and 5143 would restore polling place voting in Washington State.