Author Archives: ericcampbell

STATEMENT: Republican leader encouraged by Senate passage of bill to strengthen drug-possession law

OLYMPIA… Little more than two years after the landmark State v. Blake court decision, a bipartisan majority of state senators today approved legislation that would make possession and use of hard drugs a gross misdemeanor, and significantly restore the legal leverage that can compel people to seek and complete substance-use treatment.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this statement following the 28 – 21 vote on Senate Bill 5536:

“The Senate passed a similar bill in 2021 but faltered when negotiating a compromise with the House. The much-weaker law that resulted took our state down a disastrous path that has destroyed countless lives and caused great harm in many communities.

“While there is still room for improvement, the legislation passed today is actually better than the first Blake bill that came out of the Senate two years ago. Charging drug possession as a gross misdemeanor is the same, but this carries the added leverage of a minimum sentence and is more detailed about how treatment services would be provided.

“Let’s be clear, however, that while this is a more thoughtful and responsive approach, it absolutely does not justify the two years we were forced to wait to reach this point. The experiment with decriminalization has been a mistake all along, and many of us made that argument from the start. If the Senate had held firm on the gross-misdemeanor penalty in 2021, think of the pain and suffering that could have been prevented, and how the streets and rights-of-way in our communities might look different today. The better policy regarding treatment services could have been added later, as a stand-alone bill.

“SB 5536 was refined with amendments at every stop on the path to this vote – by one committee, then a second, and today on the floor of the Senate. This is how to deal with challenging policy questions – be open-minded and allow legislators to offer and talk through ideas for improvement. The priority now is to avoid a repeat of 2021, and make sure this good policy proposal doesn’t get weakened before it reaches the governor. We must do better this time.”

The Blake ruling, issued Feb. 25, 2021, found Washington’s felony drug-possession law to be unconstitutional. Republicans have consistently been critical of the Blake response adopted during the 2021 legislative session, which effectively decriminalized the possession and use of drugs like heroin and methamphetamine. It required first- and second-time offenders to be referred to treatment services instead of jail. Subsequent offenses could be charged only as a misdemeanor.

STATEMENT: Police-pursuit bills favored by Democratic legislators still fail to respond to auto-theft epidemic

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican leaders are encouraged by a House committee’s approval of legislation to loosen restrictions on police pursuits, but concerned that the bill still would not restore the ability of officers to pursue suspected car thieves.

This morning the House Community Safety, Justice, and Reentry Committee passed House Bill 1363, which would allow police more latitude on engaging in pursuits. It would exempt three more crimes from the current restrictions, adopted in 2021, but not vehicle theft. Also, the measure would expire in July 2025.

The Senate Law and Justice Committee has approved only Senate Bill 5533, which would keep the current pursuit restrictions in place and give the state Criminal Justice Training Commission until Oct. 31, 2024 to study the issue.

Neither committee is scheduled to meet again before Friday, which is the initial deadline for policy-committee approval of legislation.

From Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, who is Republican leader on the Law and Justice Committee and prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5034:

“The original version of the House bill was similar to my legislation – it would restore the reasonable-suspicion standard for any suspected crime, and again trust police to rely on their training when deciding whether to engage in a pursuit. What came out of the House committee this morning is closer to the current restrictions, and I’m disappointed that it deliberately preserves the hands-off approach to suspected car thieves.

“Law-enforcement leaders across our state have called for meaningful reforms to the pursuit law, and our Democratic colleagues should listen. They cling to the argument that police pursuits are inherently dangerous yet overlook the idea that the threat of being pursued can deter criminal behavior.”

From Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, a co-sponsor of Padden’s legislation:

“Both of the bills moved forward by Democrats would essentially tell criminals that they can keep stealing cars and catalytic converters and using stolen cars to smash storefronts, without fear of being pursued. That means more people being victimized. We must do better.

“Senate Republicans have been clear about wanting to reestablish public safety and deal with the lawlessness in our communities. We recognize that having a car stolen can be as life-changing as a violent crime, especially for a single mom who loses her job because she can no longer get to work. It’s unfortunate that the Senate doesn’t have something more than a study bill on the table, but we will keep looking for opportunities to work with our Democratic colleagues on the Senate floor to get this right. It’s OK to study the issue and gather data, but there’s also an auto-theft epidemic in our state, and the car thieves aren’t going to wait. We need to fix the pursuit law this year.”

STATEMENT: Senators for southern Thurston County stand with residents outraged by planned sex-predator home near Tenino

OLYMPIA… The state senators who represent southern Thurston County reacted today to an effort to convert a residence near Tenino into “less restrictive” housing for convicted sex predators – thought to be Level 3 sex offenders now in custody in a Department of Social and Health Services facility on McNeil Island.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, represents the 20th Legislative District, which includes the town of Tenino:

“The people of this area have every right to be outraged by what they are learning about this plan. The situation is more serious than a classic case of government failing to be transparent and respectful of public concerns, because it involves criminals who have committed truly heinous offenses, and state agencies that aren’t known for running a tight ship.

“The residents of southern Thurston County can see what’s happening up in Lynnwood, where people were blindsided by plans for a drug-treatment facility that was quietly approved by a state agency. They know how a special state commission suddenly put their part of the county on a short list for a massive new commercial airport that no one wants. They have little reason to trust the security of their families and property to either the Department of Social and Health Services, with its history of mismanagement, or the Department of Corrections.

“People across our state, not just in the Tenino area, can see the fallout from the policies approved by majority Democrats in our state Legislature. These actions have been welcomed by criminals, discouraged law enforcement and led to thousands of inmates being freed from prison in just the past several years. Anyone living near this proposed sex-offender home is right to be concerned about their safety, knowing how police can’t even pursue criminals like they could just a couple of years ago.

“The public-safety concerns surrounding this proposed sex-offender home are another example of why Senate Republicans have again made public safety one of our priorities for this year. We believe victims of crime and law-abiding citizens deserve to be treated equitably and respectfully.

“There are laws about the housing of sex predators that must be followed, but this is not the way. We stand with the people of Tenino and southern Thurston County as they rightfully demand honest answers. They deserve more respect than they’re getting.”

Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, represents the 35th Legislative District, which includes the location of the planned sex-predator housing. MacEwen said the plan illustrates Olympia’s indifference to public-safety concerns.

“The public outrage should not surprise us. When a project like this one is foisted on a small community, it tells us state agencies are simply not interested in the burdens they place on neighbors and the surrounding area. State agencies must be held to account for decisions like these. The people of Tenino and southern Thurston County deserve to know how the state plans to protect them.”

STATEMENT: Republican leader says California tax refunds make Washington Democrats look heartless

CENTRALIA… Tomorrow, middle-class households across California will begin receiving tax-refund payments to help with what one state official calls “inflated costs for everyday necessities.”

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, responded by pointing out how in Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee and Democratic legislators have refused all year long to offer meaningful tax relief yet are on track to shower a select group of people with money that will help them contend with historically high prices.

“Democratic leaders in our state seem blind to the hardships being faced by families, especially those in the middle. Every time Republicans have tried to let the people keep more of their own money instead of giving it to the state, Democrats have said no. Gas prices are climbing again, but when we proposed an immediate suspension of the state gas tax, to save drivers 49.4 cents per gallon, the governor and other Democrats resorted to disinformation. They talk about making ‘targeted investments’ instead of offering broad tax relief, as Republicans would do. We’re seeing what that means: historically generous pay raises for members of public-sector unions, secretly negotiated by the governor.

“For years Washington has blindly mimicked California on energy and environmental policies that make living in our state less affordable. Now that California is putting money back into the pockets of its people, and acknowledging that they could use some help from government, Governor Inslee won’t follow and our Democratic colleagues in the Legislature are silent.

“Within a matter of months, middle-income families in Washington will see a host of tax increases – from those taken directly out of their wages, to higher sales and property taxes, to increased costs of driving – all due to policies enacted by Democrats and signed by Governor Inslee in the past two legislative sessions. In that light, the choice to approve fat new labor agreements instead of helping families sends a clear message: Some people matter more than the rest. State employees do valuable work, but this makes  Inslee and any Democrats who support his selective giveaway of taxpayer dollars look heartless. Olympia badly needs a change in direction.”

STATEMENT: Republican leader says lowering tuition is fairer to students, families than subsidizing unpaid loans

CENTRALIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun says the renewed debate about the rising cost of college tuition is the one good thing about the Biden administration’s move to write off hundreds of billions of dollars in outstanding college loans.

Braun, prime sponsor of 2015’s historic College Affordability Program, offered the following comment about Washington’s history of controlling tuition costs and whether a state-level version of the Biden loan-forgiveness is possible.

“No amount of spin from President Biden and others can make this bailout fair for working people who couldn’t afford to go to college and those who already paid their own way. It also does absolutely nothing to increase access to higher education going forward.

“Students wouldn’t rack up as much debt if tuition was lower. When Republicans led the state Senate we immediately reprioritized spending to freeze in-state tuition at the state-run two- and four-year schools. Two years later we successfully proposed the first tuition cut in Washington history, and the only tuition reduction in the nation. But since one-party rule returned to Olympia our Democratic colleagues have had other priorities, and tuition is climbing again.

“This year the current majority jammed a new state-run college-loan program through, even though our state already offers nation-leading financial support to students who want to attend college. In light of the Biden administration’s move, we need to consider the possibility that Washington taxpayers will someday be forced to ‘forgive’ loans made through this state program. That would be just as unfair.

“When the Legislature’s next regular session comes around, I expect Washington families will still be facing higher prices for everything while state government sits on a mountain of cash. The next state budget needs to address the affordability crisis in our state, and Republicans will make sure that debate includes making college more affordable so students incur less debt.”

New statewide crime numbers confirm importance of reestablishing public safety, says Republican leader

CENTRALIA… The state Senate’s Republican leader says new numbers showing crime has continued to increase across Washington should give legislators even more reason to focus on public-safety measures next year – beyond what the governor is belatedly supporting.

The 2021 Crime in Washington report has murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault up from the year before, with homicides reaching an all-time high. The corresponding 2020 report from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs had violent crime at a 25-year high, and the new statistics prove 2021 was even worse. Vehicle theft, burglary, larceny and destruction of property, all categorized as property crimes, are also up.

“The 2020 report led Senate Republicans to make the reestablishment of public safety one of our top three priorities ahead of this year’s legislative session. It’s frustrating to see how crime has continued to increase in one category after another, knowing how we were alone in advocating for public-safety legislation,” said Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia.

“Until these new statistics came out yesterday Governor Inslee had been very quiet about the crime wave hurting families and employers across our state. Today we’re told he will finally engage on the need to recruit and train more officers. Yet the governor was nowhere to be seen months ago when we already knew Washington had the fewest law-enforcement officers per capita in the nation, and his allies in the Legislature were blocking our bill to help communities rebuild their depleted law-enforcement agencies.

“If the governor is truly beginning to come around to where Republicans already are on addressing the decline in safety in our communities, his actions will speak louder than his words. Otherwise, it will be fair to question whether his sudden interest in law enforcement is sincere or just for appearance’s sake.”

People also shouldn’t be misled by how yesterday’s crime report shows a 60% drop in drug/narcotics violation offenses since 2020, Braun explained. That’s because the 2021 law responding to the state Supreme Court’s Blake decision essentially legalizes hard drugs.

“The consequences of abusing hard drugs are still easy to see in many communities. It’s just that the radical change in the law, which the governor supported, has made it impossible for law-enforcement officers to do what they used to do – to engage and intervene with drug abusers in a way that could force them into treatment.”

Braun said the next Legislature needs to reform the anti-police laws adopted in 2021, which he said have been welcome news to criminals.

“It’s no wonder more and more people are feeling like they’re on their own when it comes to protecting their families and their property. If this year’s news reports are any indication, especially the shootings that seem to happen almost daily in the Puget Sound region, things are still moving in the wrong direction. There’s also been a lack of urgency to deal with property crimes like car theft. Those are not victimless crimes. Legislators need to be serious about putting the protection of our communities and the needs of victims first.”

STATEMENT: Republican leaders repeat call for action as inflation rates continue to climb

OLYMPIA… Another jump in price inflation at the state and national levels has Senate Republican leaders calling again for legislative action to provide financial relief to Washington families.

 

New numbers from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics show the June inflation rate in Washington was 10.1% higher than a year earlier, a full percentage point up from two months ago. Nationally, the inflation rate was up 9.1% for the same period, the highest in 41 years and up from 8.3% two months ago.

From Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia:

“The governor keeps rejecting any ideas for providing immediate financial relief to most families in the middle. All he will talk about is a 2023 tax credit that will be available only to some with lower incomes. It’s as though he doesn’t understand, or doesn’t care, how people at all levels in our state are being hit by what is now double-digit inflation. This new report shows they have seen their real earnings shrink for 15 consecutive months.

“The state has a mountain of cash that is continuing to grow. Our colleagues in the majority should join us to end the government greed and get more dollars back into the hands of families. It can be done without harming a single state program or service. Republicans are ready to act. Where are the Democrats? The affordability crisis in our state affects their constituents too.”

From Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver and SRC budget leader:

“Budget leaders on the majority side seem stuck on what they call ‘targeted investments,’ which means showering more money on state agencies. The truth is, none of what they did this year to fatten state government will help the typical Washington family cope with an inflation rate that is continuing to grow, with no end in sight.

“Our Democratic colleagues don’t seem to realize that significant, direct tax relief – like a temporary suspension of the gas tax, which would let families keep more of their own money – should also be viewed as a ‘targeted investment.’ With prices up more than 10 percent that’s the best investment we could make to help Washington families. Legislators need to act.”

STATEMENT: Republican leader renews call for legislators to suspend gas tax

OLYMPIA… There is one sure way to lower the cost of gasoline, says Senate Republican Leader John Braun, and that’s for the Legislature to suspend the 49.4-cent state portion of the gas tax.

Braun, R-Centralia, said legislative action makes even more sense now considering how gas prices continue to rise, with no end in sight – and considering how the state’s revenue situation continues to improve. He offered this statement today, as AAA reported the average cost per gallon of regular unleaded reached $5.16 in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metro area; a month ago the average in that same area for the same fuel grade was $4.85.

“In a matter of hours, the Legislature could meet and pass legislation to knock almost 50 cents off the price of a gallon. In the central Puget Sound area, gas has gone up 31 cents per gallon on average in the month since Republicans last called for legislative intervention. How much higher does it have to go before our Democratic colleagues decide their constituents should get some relief?

“The May revenue collection report is up 428 million dollars from the February revenue forecast. Clearly, the gas tax could be suspended through the end of this year – as Republicans first proposed during this year’s legislative session – without jeopardizing a single state program or service. The majority party should be able to agree on that point.

“The federal government has been ineffective at slowing the rise in fuel costs. Democrats at all levels can blame Putin all they want, but that’s not the underlying cause of the price increases, and in any case the Ukraine situation isn’t going to be resolved anytime soon. Our Legislature represents the only real hope for the people of Washington to pay significantly less at the pump.

“If our Democratic colleagues here in Washington are OK with the soaring gas prices because they see it as a way to get people out of their cars, I wish they’d come out and say so. If not, they should join with us to call a special session and suspend the gas tax with a strong bipartisan vote that could deter a veto. We have an affordability crisis in this state, and reducing the cost of fuel is a good way to get at that.”

Legislators should reconvene and suspend gas tax, Republican leader says after seeing revenue report

OLYMPIA… As the nation’s inflation rate hit 8.5% this past week, a report from the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council indicated state-revenue collections are running more than $255 million above what it projected in February.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun of Centralia responded by calling again on the Legislature to support tax and inflation relief for the people of Washington:

“State government’s financial picture keeps getting better while the affordability crisis keeps getting worse. If you’re younger than 40, you have never had to contend with an inflation rate this high. Higher costs for food, gas, housing and energy are predictably harder on gig-economy and hourly-wage workers, and older people with fixed incomes. For younger people looking to become first-time homeowners or start a family, it’s a real shock – and the Democrats don’t seem to have any useful answers.

“Republicans offered idea after idea during this year’s session for helping families with the rising cost of living. In spite of a 15-billion-dollar budget surplus we couldn’t get our Democratic colleagues to agree. They just poured most of those billions into making government even larger.

“Right before the Legislature adjourned in early March, the current majority said no to a Republican proposal to suspend the 49.4-cent state gas tax through the end of 2022. Fortunately, the latest revenue report is keeping that opportunity alive. If Democrats would just drop their resistance to providing inflation relief, we could easily meet in a one-day, remote special session to suspend the regressive gas tax and maybe also consider a veto override or two.

“Democrats can talk about ‘Putin price hikes’ all they want – gas prices have been increasing all year long, so much that one in our state’s own congressional delegation called for a gas-tax suspension well before the invasion of Ukraine. The new transportation package they pushed through in Olympia this year may mean more bicycle lanes, and free transit for children, but it won’t do a thing to help parents afford the gas to get to their jobs or to their kids’ soccer games. The governor supports the idea of Washington refineries helping ensure gas is available to meet the needs of families and employers; he and Democrat legislators should now join Republicans to make gas more affordable.”