Committees:

• Early Learning & K-12 Education (vice chair)
• Judiciary (vice chair)
• Consumer Protection & Housing
• Ways & Means

Term ends January 2011

Olympia Office:
415 Legislative Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0448
(360) 786-7694

District links:

• City of Clyde Hill
• City of Medina
• Town of Hunts Point
• City of Bellevue
• City of Redmond
• Town of Yarrow Point
• City of Kirkland
• Bridle Trails State Park
• Bellevue Community College

Senator Rodney Tom
48th District  Bellevue

This is a 2007 page. Are you looking for 2008?

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►2007 Session Review (4/20/07) ►Transportation solutions for the eastside (4/6/07) ►Budget priorities (3/30/07) ►Metal theft bill would reduce drug crime (3/16/07) ►Supporting our teachers (3/2/07) ►Education (2/15/07) ►The case for early education (1/26/07) ►Making education a priority (1/9/07)

August 14, 2007

Tom honored for his efforts to make school lunches affordable for all

OLYMPIA – Millions of American children depend on reduced price school meals, but some families struggle to cover the co-pay. To help ensure more children have access to nutritious, affordable meals while at school, Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, worked this session to eliminate the burdensome co-pay for some Washington families. more>>>

Senate Democrats’ Washington Learns bills signed into law

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today signed five Senate bills to implement the recommendations of Washington Learns, an 18-month study aimed at revolutionizing public education in Washington. On hand were some of the senators who sponsored the legislation. more>>>

Tom’s anti-crime bills signed into law

OLYMPIA – The governor today signed two bills sponsored by Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, to cut down on drug-related theft by regulating scrap metal sales, and toughen the penalty for intentional animal abandonment. more>>>

Electronic Newsletter

Last week, we wrapped up the 105-day legislative session and I wanted to update you on key legislation we passed. We achieved major victories for Washington families in education, health care and the environment. more>>>

Legislators reach compromise on WASL changes

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, today announced a consensus among legislative leaders to create new pathways for students to demonstrate their knowledge in math and science, and expand existing alternative assessments for all portions of the WASL. more>>>

April 19, 2007

Tom crosses the finish line in legislators’ pedometer challenge

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, helped win $1,000 for the Bellevue School District in the third annual “Legislators on the Move” competition sponsored by Regence BlueShield. The grant will help fund health and fitness programs at a Bellevue school. move>>>

Getting the WASL right: It's all about the standards

The Washington Assessment of Student Learning is not just about passing a test – it’s about helping Washington students demonstrate their ability to meet academic standards, and earn a meaningful diploma. more>>>

April 9, 2007
Electronic Newsletter

This week, the Senate has been doing double duty. We had committee hearings on bills sent over to us from the House, and we spent considerable time debating the Senate’s three main budgets: operating, capital and transportation. more>>>

WASL ‘pathways’ bill makes the grade in state Senate

OLYMPIA – The Senate tonight passed Senate Bill 6023 to create new alternative assessments for students so they can demonstrate their ability to meet the academic standards assessed on the WASL and graduate from high school. more>>>

March 10, 2007

Washington Learns bills clear Senate

OLYMPIA – The Senate last night passed four bills to implement the Washington Learns report, which recommended innovative improvements to revolutionize early learning, K-12 education, educator preparation, and math, science and technology education. more>>>

Feb. 7, 2007

Sen. Tom to Sonics: ‘Show me the money’

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, has introduced a bill that would levy a 10 percent income tax on Seattle Supersonics team members to help pay for the construction of a new arena. more>>>

Washington looks to close gun show loophole

OLYMPIA – Washington may soon join 17 other states in passing common sense legislation that requires unlicensed gun dealers to perform background checks at gun shows. more>>>

Jan. 30, 2007

Senate bill targets metal thieves cashing in on crime

OLYMPIA – Copper wire, bronze vases from headstones, catalytic converters from vehicles, and aluminum manhole covers are rapidly disappearing in Washington. more>>>

Jan. 23, 2006

0:59 wrap with Sen. Rodney Tom of Bellevue on meeting the needs of the global economy.

Lead: To make sure Washington stays competitive in the global economy, lawmakers in Olympia are turning their attention to public education. Jeff Reading reports from Olympia. (Full script in Word Format)

MP3 File (929 KB)
WAV File (11.1 MB)

Jan. 23, 2007

Senate bill seeks harsher penalties for animal abandonment

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, has introduced a bill to increase the penalty for abandoning an animal in Washington.

“The recent reports of puppies abandoned near Issaquah demonstrate just how important this bill is. Animals cannot defend themselves against neglect, and we need to send the message that animal abandonment is not OK in Washington,” said Tom. more>>>

Jan. 9, 2007

Sen. Tom sworn in as 2007 legislative session kicks off

OLYMPIA – Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, yesterday pledged to continue working on behalf of the 48th Legislative District as he was sworn into office as state senator. more>>>