State Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, who has been banned from the Senate Republican Caucus after colleagues told her she has repeatedly mistreated staff and should get counseling to manage her anger, responded Tuesday with a blog posted on her Web site:

Her reply:

“I wanted you to know that there is some petty politics going on with some of my colleagues. Let me assure you that I will not be distracted from my representation of the values of the 31st District. It has been an honor to earn the support from the citizens of the 31st District for the past 19 years. I sincerely appreciate the supportive phone calls, e-mails, faxes, and “keep your chin up” well-wishes I’ve received from colleagues and constituents in recent days.

We have important things to do in Olympia. I am leading the effort to protect the Second Amendment, save Rainier School, and reform DSHS in its CPS policies. I’ve just signed on as a co-sponsor to Sen. Holmquist’s bill (SB 6821) to save the two-third’s vote requirement for tax increases that the democrats are about to get rid of. I oppose the democrats’ tax raising agenda.

There are important things going on down here, but my office is always open. If you have any questions please call my office (360-786-7660) or send an e-mail.

Roach also responded to her dismissal on KIRO (FM) radio’s The Dave Ross Show Monday, but Ross eventually ended the interview (fast forward to about 21:00) after Roach kept bringing up an incident between herself and state Senator Mike Hewitt from two years ago (The Seattle Times has more detail on the interview and the incident in question).

While Roach was dismissed from the caucus, she still can vote. She cannot deal directly with caucus staff or counsel.

The punishment stems from an incident last year in which Roach berated a Senate staff attorney, telling him he should be fired.

The investigation found that Roach had “engaged in a very personal, demeaning attack” and created a hostile work environment.

Roach was first elected to the state Senate in 1990.