Author Archives: kimberlywirtz

Governor signs Braun bill providing schools with cost-saving student transportation options

OLYMPIA…Gov. Bob Ferguson today signed a bill sponsored by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, that will allow schools to use state funding for more appropriate student transportation options when using a school bus is not necessary or cost-effective.

Student transportation to and from school, and to various K-12 programs and services, is funded through the Student Transportation Allocation Reporting System (STARS). Senate Bill 5009 reforms the funding formula to now cover the use of district-owned passenger cars and vans when it is more cost-effective and reasonable than using a school bus to transport only a few students.

Braun said this about his bill:

“When we talk about finding ‘efficiencies’ in state government to cut costs, ensuring taxpayer dollars for K-12 education are spent wisely is at the top of the list. Allowing schools the flexibility to use passenger cars and vans to transport a handful of students may have a relatively small impact on the bottom line, but it makes a lot more sense than paying for only one or two kids to ride a bus that seats 80.

“This new policy will not compromise student safety – drivers still need to meet the same training requirements they do now. Students will need to use seatbelts and follow safety procedures. School districts will be encouraged to use the type of vehicle that is safe and cost-effective for a given situation. My hope is that this new flexibility will translate into savings that can be redirected toward other costs of providing basic education.”

While the section of SB 5009 encouraging schools to use the most cost-effective, approved vehicle option to transport students takes effect July 27, the superintendent of public instruction has until Sept. 1, 2026, to develop rules for drivers transporting students in vehicles other than a school bus.

Braun: UW protests escalate into targeted harassment, criminal behavior

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement today in response to escalating violence and harassment during protests at the University of Washington:

“The events unfolding at the University of Washington have crossed every line of decency and legality. Last night, protesters threw human feces at attendees of a Turning Point USA event featuring athlete and women’s sports activist Riley Gaines. They followed an elderly woman using a cane to her car, called her terrible names, and told her to kill herself. This is not protest—it is targeted harassment and criminal behavior.

“In an extremely troubling development, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives has publicly expressed support for, and a willingness to help, those arrested during these violent protests. This sends a dangerous message that such behavior is acceptable if it aligns with certain political viewpoints.

“Our universities must be bastions of free speech and safety for all students, regardless of their beliefs. This includes members of the public and event organizers who assemble on the UW campus. We need Democrats to speak out against these tactics. I call on all leaders, regardless of party affiliation, to unequivocally denounce these actions and take immediate steps to restore order and protect the rights of every student on campus.”

Braun praises UW officials for response to Monday protests, calls for prosecutions

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following reaction to Monday’s violent occupation of the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at the University of Washington by anti-Israel, pro-Hamas protesters. The protests were in opposition to the university’s ties to The Boeing Company.

“Violent antisemitic protests intended to intimidate Jewish students and University officials are troubling and unacceptable. Yesterday’s protesters, reportedly affiliated with the group Super UW, not only disrupted campus operations but also engaged in dangerous activities, including setting dumpsters on fire and barricading entrances, creating a hazardous environment for students and staff. Americans have the right to protest peacefully, but not to threaten people, behave violently or destroy property. That’s not constitutionally-protected protesting – it’s mob intimidation.

“I commend the University of Washington officials and law-enforcement agencies for their swift and decisive response to this illegal occupation. Their actions in arresting approximately 30 protesters on charges such as trespassing, property destruction, and disorderly conduct demonstrate a commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring campus safety.

“To deter future acts of violence and disruption, those arrested must now be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Prosecutions will do far more to make it clear that universities must remain bastions of free speech and peaceful protest, not venues for unlawful and destructive behavior.

“I am particularly grateful for President Ana Mari Cauce’s unequivocal condemnation of the violence. She issued a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. It is clear that we need to jointly reaffirm our commitment to civil discourse and the principles that uphold our democratic society.

“UW will have another opportunity to demonstrate its opposition to violence and intimidation when Riley Gaines, prominent advocate for women’s sports, visits the Seattle campus to speak tonight. I urge all parties to ensure that this event proceeds without incident – as I would regardless of who is speaking. While people have the right to protest peacefully, the safety and rights of all speakers and attendees must be protected.”

NEWSLETTER: An expensive end to the legislative session — A $77.9 billion operating budget and billions in taxes

Watch my sine die interview with TVW’s The Impact

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The regular 2025 legislative session wrapped up yesterday, on schedule – although a “special” session can’t be ruled out if the governor takes issue with the new budget.

At times, this session felt even longer than 105 days, especially when fighting against the majority’s determination to approve bad policies that will negatively affect people across the state.

Being in the minority, it’s easy to get frustrated by the limits on our ability to advance bills that are important to our constituents. Sometimes, our successes have to come in the form of stopping bad legislation.

This year, we saw the majority attempt to increase taxes by $21 billion and, despite a with a multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, increase spending in an unsustainable way. That same uncontrolled spending is what created the shortfall in the first place – something the Seattle Times and other media outlets conceded.

Thanks to tens of thousands of Washingtonians rising up to oppose a bill that would have resulted in the largest property-tax hike in state history, the 1% annual cap for property-tax increases without voter approval remains in place.

This doesn’t prevent local governments or the state from trying to raise your property taxes to cover increased expenses, but they will have to ask the voters for permission at the ballot box. That’s how it should be. Government shouldn’t be able to increase your property taxes by 4%, 5% or even 10% without your approval.

Unfortunately, the majority did lift a different cap on local school levies, which will ultimately widen the education gap between kids who live in districts with higher property values and those in areas with lower property values. Rural districts and the Latino community will suffer most.

Once again, a child’s ZIP code will affect the quality of their education – and no one should tolerate such discrimination. This means the state will likely end up back in court, being sued again (as it has been twice before) for an unconstitutional overreliance on local levies to fund K-12 education.

I’ll continue the fight against education inequity and will keep you informed on how this develops.

It continues to be an honor to serve as your Senator and fight for our shared priorities.

The 2026 session doesn’t begin until January, but you may email me at john.braun@leg.wa.gov during the interim with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

John Braun

 

 

20th district projects in the capital budget

 

The state’s capital budget pays for various construction and improvement projects around the state — everything from school construction to historic restoration. The following projects in our district received funding.

Green Hill School security improvements: $4.5 million

Cascade Community Health: $541,000

Improvement to the 4-H barn at the SW Washington Fairgrounds: $767,000

City of Centralia nitrates solution project: $5 million

Austin Point recreation plan: $521,000

Downtown La Center improvements: $400,000

Pioneer Street slope stabilization: $1.5 million

Chehalis River raw water main replacement: $1.75 million

Rose Way extension: $752,000

LG Borst Park ball field lights: $1.1 million

Toutle River fish collection facility matching funds: $6.5 million

 

 

Republican wins

 

The following is not a full list of all the positive things Republicans accomplished this session, but it gives you a good idea of what we were up against.

A Safer Washington

  • Secured $100 million to help law-enforcement agencies hire more officers
  • Stopped the lowering of penalties for sex offenders (SB 5312)
  • Prevented the state from having the power to decertify county sheriffs elected by the people (HB 1399)
  • Kept violent felons from petitioning for resentencing, and possibly release, after serving only 10 years in prison (SB 5269)
  • Preserved tighter restrictions against sex offenders caught in “net nanny” online stings (SB 5312)

An Affordable Washington

  • Protected taxpayers from an additional increase in taxes of $11 billion
  • Stopped the pay-per-mile tax (HB 1921/SB 5726)
  • Prevented a rate change that would allow the largest property-tax increase in state history (HB 2049, in its original form)
  • Made it easier to build housing through zoning reform (SB 5471)

A Better Future for Washington’s Kids

  • Protected new mothers receiving Medicaid by preserving 12 months of postpartum maternity care (HB 2041)
  • Prevented children from being exposed to a harmful, inappropriate far-left agenda in school (SB 5180)
  • Stopped childcare from becoming even more unaffordable by stopping even more unnecessary regulation (SB 5062)
  • Kept the majority from raising college tuition by $2,500

Special Mention

  • Stopped the majority from killing the citizens’ initiative process by putting unreasonable requirements on signature gatherers (SB 5382)

 

 

Democrat missteps

 

The majority made various mistakes this session — bad bills, tone-deaf comments, and a continuing drive to undermine parents’ rights. Here some of the most notable ones.

 

Causing and overstating the budget shortfall

The budget shortfall was never $12 billion, $15 billion, $18 billion or $21 billion. The true gap was never more than $8 billion, according to our nonpartisan budget staff, which had no incentive to inflate the numbers to support an argument for higher taxes. But the cause was clear – years of the majority’s reckless uncontrolled overspending.

 

Trying to raid the “rainy-day fund”

The “rainy-day” fund (formally called the Budget Stabilization Account) is not the Democrats’ slush fund. We need to protect it for a real “rainy day” caused by a recession or other disastrous event, not to fund new pet projects and programs.

 

Pursuing $21 billion in new and higher taxes

Our $ave Washington budget proved that we could pay for current government programs without raising a single tax. Even though the majority ended up imposed $9.6 billion in taxes, it’s less than half what they wanted.

 

Undermining parents’ rights

Democrats continued to interfere in the parent-child relationship, assume parents are the enemy and expose children to damaging ideas/content.

 

Failing to stand by women

The majority refused to allow the Senate to vote on a resolution honoring women in sports.

 

Worsening the education gap

By lifting the cap on school levies, the majority has set the state up for another court battle over overreliance on local levies, which creates an unconstitutional imbalance in the education opportunities available to kids in wealthy areas compared to kids in areas with lower property values.

 

Giving unemployment benefits to striking workers

Taxpayers are now on the hook to pay up to six weeks of unemployment benefits to workers who have chosen to go on strike. These benefits are supposed to go to workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own.

 

NEWSLETTER: A victory on property taxes, but higher local levies

Areas outside Seattle will see an increase of nearly 20% next year and 55% over the next six years.

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

At the beginning of the week, the news media reported legislative Democrats had again decided to abandon their efforts to increase your property taxes. This was the third consecutive year in which they had proposed to increase the annual rate by which state and local government can increase your property taxes without a vote of the people – which has been capped at 1% since Initiative 747 passed in 2001.

This is a tremendous win for
everyone across our state.

 

Thank you to those who spoke out against making housing more expensive. Your efforts made a big difference.

What was not immediately reported, however, is that Democrats are still pushing to allow significant increases in the school-levy cap, and that levy dollars are collected through property taxes.

 

Read my full statement.

 

This policy opens the door to the same reliance on local-levy funding that led to the Supreme Court ruling in the K-12 funding case McCleary v. State of Washington in 2012.

If it becomes law, this also will be a huge step backward because it creates inequitable funding among school districts. Our state constitution requires the state to provide for the education of all children within its borders; “all” does not mean a child’s educational opportunities should be influenced by his or her ZIP code.

 

Listen to my interview with Brandi Kruse on her Undivided podcast about this issue.

 

This policy will benefit the wealthier areas of our state but will only deepen the education-funding inequities across Washington — particularly in rural areas with larger Latino populations.

When discriminatory policies like this move forward, it’s hard to take Democrats seriously when they claim to be prioritizing equity or considering the real impact of their legislation on low-income communities or people of color.

It’s very likely that if this policy passes, the state will end up back in court because the resulting reliance on local levies will be just as unconstitutional today as it was before.

 

Sincerely,

John Braun

 

 

An assault on women: Cutting postpartum maternity care in half

 

 

One of the truly incomprehensible measures being advanced by Democrats (House Bill 2041) would cut in half the length of time that the state will pay for postpartum care for Medicaid patients who have delivered a baby.

In 2021, through the bipartisan Senate Bill 5068, the Legislature extended that time from six months to a year based on the following statistics quoted in that bill, which was sponsored by a Democrat.

  • 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, primarily through postpartum follow-up care for women’s health and behavioral-health.
  • More than 50% of pregnancy-related deaths in Washington state are women enrolled in Medicaid.
  • The Center for Disease Control found that pregnancy-related deaths occur up to one year postpartum, and data shows that critical health needs continue through that year.
  • Gaps in postpartum maternity care have been found to contribute to preventable pregnancy-related deaths.

It turns out that 58% of maternal deaths by suicide and 65% of maternal deaths by overdose occur between 43 days and one year postpartum.

 

Providing 12 months of postpartum
maternity care saves lives.

 

Reducing this coverage would put more women, and their babies, at risk, and it will make Washington one of only two states in the country not to provide 12 months of post-partum maternity care.

 

This is a step backward.

And for what?

 

Democrats claim the bill will save the state $11 million over four years, but while they are cutting post-partum care, they have another bill, House Bill 1043, that proposes spending $11 million by continuing a “Commute Trip Reduction Credit” which provides state payments to employers who give their employees financial incentives to use alternatives to cars in their commute.

 

What are their priorities?

 

The Senate Republican “$ave Washington” budget written by Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, and Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, would not cut postpartum maternity care. In fact, it would not cut ANY services at all. It would protect the most vulnerable in our state while still not raising taxes.

 

That’s not just rhetoric. That’s fact. 

 

As for the Democrats who support this bill, they can’t claim they “put people first” when they put low-income mothers and their babies LAST.

 

Listen to me talk about this assault on women during our recent media availability.

 

 

 

CTE will be extended to 6th graders

 

 

 

Currently, 7th- and 8th- graders in middle school get to participate in career technical education (CTE) courses that allow them to explore the different options they have for their future. However, middle schools also include 6th-grade students who, up until now, haven’t been given the opportunity.

This week, my bill to extend CTE to 6th-graders in middle school was signed by the governor and will become law 90 days after this legislative session ends Sunday. It will be in effect for the 2026-27 school year.

I’m very pleased that Senate Bill 5382 will become law, and I’ve heard from many constituents who feel the same.

Read my full news release about the bill. 

 

 

Majority blocks effort to honor girls’ sports

 

 

A very controversial topic lately is whether biological men should be allowed to compete in women’s sports.

Although everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, women fought too hard for Title IX and for the recognition that women’s sports deserve – they should not be forced now to accept biological men into their arena.

My colleague, Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, recently sponsored Senate Resolution 8647 to honor women in sports. Like me, she has daughters who were athletes and simply wanted to recognize the commitment of young women like them.

The Democrat majority refused to let the Senate adopt this resolution during our “floor action,” in the Senate chamber, despite having allowed other somewhat controversial resolutions to come before us this year. While that is their privilege as the majority, it is not equitable, tolerant or fair.

In a recent statement, Senator Warnick said, “This is not a fringe issue, it is a mainstream concern shared by athletes, coaches and families across Washington and the country. Washington should be leading the way in supporting women’s sports, not silencing efforts to recognize and protect them.”

Listen to Sen. Warnick speak out about this issue during our latest media availability.

Governor signs Braun bill expanding technical education to 6th graders

OLYMPIA…A bill sponsored by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, to expand exploratory career and technical education (CTE) to sixth-grade students was signed today by Gov. Bob Ferguson. It will become law 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.

Currently, K-12 education funding provides exploratory CTE to students beginning in seventh grade. Exploratory CTE introduces students to a variety of career paths and industry sectors, sparking their curiosity through early exposure to career options. Senate Bill 5358 expands funding to include sixth graders in the program.

“While we encourage students to attend college, we should also encourage middle school students to explore career options that don’t require a four-year degree – to see what’s out there,” Braun said. “Even if they do choose to go to college, they’ll have a greater appreciation for the trades.”

Middle-school CTE courses cover a wide range of topics, including computer applications such coding and digital design, business management and entrepreneurship, healthcare diagnostics, manufacturing, construction, automotive technology, fabrication and welding, horticulture, early education and the culinary arts. They focus on career exploration, teamwork and problem-solving and typically incorporate field trips and guest speakers to connect students with real-world opportunities.

“Right now, seventh graders can participate in CTE courses, but sixth graders in the same schools cannot,” he added. “My bill expands the funding so all middle school students can participate. At that age, CTE courses help students explore their interests. If they continue into high school, they learn more advanced skills and how to prepare for the workforce. For some students, this exposure can mean the difference between a minimum-wage job and a career that provides a living wage. The demand for workers with technical skills is growing all the time.”

High school students in Washington also have access to CTE courses, but those are considered preparatory. Those courses offer in-depth training in a specific career pathway, including technical skills, certifications and work-based learning such as internships and apprenticeships. Preparatory CTE courses for 11th and 12th graders are taught at skills centers during the regular school day.

NEWSLETTER: It’s budget week in the Legislature – what does that mean for you?

Legislative budget week — the Tax Day rally

 

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

On Tax Day, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak to a large crowd of Washingtonians who came to the steps of the Capitol to protest the billions in new and higher taxes Democrats have sponsored to fund their ongoing habit of overspending your money.

And every one of those taxes is unnecessary.

Sen. Chris Gildon, Puyallup, is the Republican lead on the operating budget. He and the assistant Republican lead, Sen. Nikki Torres, Pasco, wrote a full, balanced operating budget, introduced this week as Senate Bill 5810, which balances the state’s operating budget over four years.

What it does NOT do is raise taxes or cut services. 

In the meantime, Democrats are on day 15 of negotiating a state budget – in secret – that they hope the governor will agree to support. Gov. Ferguson already drew a line in the sand by saying he would not support a budget that drained the state’s “Rainy-Day Fund” or relied on any controversial, untested taxes that are likely to end up in court.

Our budget does neither of those things and could be brought to the Senate floor and passed today. 

Predictably, the Democrat majority won’t even consider our budget. It is based on fiscal responsibility, removes wasteful spending, and doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime more in taxes.

That’s not the way they want to do things, and that’s bad for Washington.

Sincerely,

Sen. John Braun

 

 

 

Watch my weekly update from Olympia

 

 

Watch my weekly video update from Olympia. I update you about where some bad bill ideas stand at this point in the legislative process, including the largest tax increase in Washington state history.

I also explain what happened with my bill to help alleviate overcrowding at juvenile-justice facilities such as Green Hill School. House Democrat leadership played political games and the bill died as a result.

If you have questions, contact me at john.braun@leg.wa.gov. 

 

 

 

Close to the end of session…hopefully

 

 

The end of the 2025 Legislative Session is a little more than a week away, but there is a good chance we may be called back for a special session. The governor released a statement Thursday saying that the $12 billion in taxes the Democrats just proposed is too high and unsustainable. We agree.

In fact, according to nonpartisan analysis, the taxes on the table now amount to $13.5 billion in state taxes and $5 billion in local taxes over four years. The local taxes would come from higher property taxes and sales taxes.

Since It’s been two weeks since Democrats began their budget negotiations behind closed doors, away from the public eye, and we have yet to see a final budget proposal, special session is looking more like a possibility.

Usually a special session happens because Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on something critical. This time, it’s because the Democrat majority refuses to curb their spending and their thirst for new and higher taxes.

There is a BETTER solution.

The Senate Republican budget proposal doesn’t raise a single dime in taxes and it makes no cuts to services. It is the easiest and best solution, but the majority won’t even consider it because it’s a Republican idea. We hope they come to their senses and take a good, hard look at it.

Set partisanship aside, protect the most vulnerable, and leave taxpayers alone. 

]

 

House Democrats fail those who work and live at Green Hill School

 

 

The House Democrats failed to move my bill to alleviate overcrowding at Green Hill School.

This is a dereliction of duty that leaves staff and residents at our juvenile-justice facilities in danger.

I worked with the Department of Children, Youth and Families on the bill, and the Senate passed it unanimously.

Read my full statement here.

House Democrats fumble justice-reform bill, leaving juvenile-justice facilities in crisis

OLYMPIA… On the final day for Senate bills to be considered by the House of Representatives, the majority Democrats in the House — including the Speaker of the House — fumbled a critical opportunity to alleviate dangerous overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities, leaving both residents and staff members in crisis.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, sponsored Senate Bill 5278 in direct response to worsening conditions at facilities like Green Hill School in Chehalis. These conditions have deteriorated significantly since the passage of juvenile-justice laws in 2018 and 2019 — particularly the policy known as “JR to 25,” which allows persons convicted as minors to remain in juvenile facilities until age 25 rather than transferring to adult prisons.

The JR-to-25 policy has contributed to escalating violence, gang activity, riots, drug smuggling, and overdoses at Green Hill. The facility — overseen by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — has become increasingly unmanageable. Some staff members have even been implicated in illegal activity.

SB 5278 would have given DCYF critical tools to address the overcrowding, violence, and drug abuse at Green Hill. Braun has worked closely with the agency, repeatedly soliciting feedback to ensure the bill meets its needs and prioritizes the safety and rehabilitation of youth in custody.

Braun issued this statement in response to the House’s failure to act:

“The fact that this bill didn’t even receive a vote in the House after passing unanimously in the Senate is a dereliction of duty by House Democrats and the Speaker. Sadly, it’s not surprising — it’s yet another example of the majority enabling violent offenders to harm each other and the public, a pattern we’ve seen time and again in their legislation. Democrats even passed a bill this year to vacate Green Hill residents’ convictions for rioting.

“This legislative session will end without giving DCYF the tools it desperately needs to confront overcrowding that has already led to riots, smuggling, assaults, and overdoses. It’s a stunning failure — and it will have real, human consequences.

“Just today I heard from a constituent who is concerned about a family member who works at Green Hill and fears for their life. They described the situation there as a powder keg. A staff member recently required medical attention from accidental exposure to fentanyl smuggled into the facility, and it’s not the first time it’s happened. I’m told the average new hire lasts less than a month. House Democrats turned their backs on the situation – on a real solution.

“We have a moral obligation to ensure that youth in state custody receive the rehabilitation and support they need to change the course of their lives. But overcrowding caused by Democrat-led policies has made this nearly impossible. Staff are stretched beyond capacity and young people are being housed alongside violent adults — individuals who should be in the custody of the Department of Corrections.

“By continuing to play political games with the lives of those who live and work in these facilities, Democrats are perpetuating dangerous conditions — conditions that could cost someone their life. They should accept responsibility for that.”

“Washington has already closed two juvenile rehabilitation facilities. The new facility in Aberdeen — months away from being operational — is unlikely to resolve the crisis. For more than a year, Green Hill has been operating at well beyond its intended capacity. Without legislative action, it will remain unmanageable and unsafe.”

Just in time for Tax Day, Democrats double down on taxes

OLYMPIA…As if proposing the largest tax increase in Washington state history wasn’t enough, Senate Democrats in Olympia doubled the number of taxes proposed by introducing five tax bills just in time for Tax Day.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, offered this reaction:

“On Tax Day, no less, Democrats have decided to double down on taxing Washingtonians by introducing five new tax bills—not even two weeks before the end of session. This isn’t just bad timing; it’s bad governing.

“Washington families are already feeling the pinch of high inflation, soaring housing costs, and a slowing economy. Now, Democrats want to pile on even more taxes—on small businesses, on innovation, and on the very people who are trying to build a future here.

“Republicans believe government should live within its means—just like working families have to. We oppose these last-minute tax grabs and will continue to fight for policies that grow paychecks, not government. And because the Democrats have taken their budget negotiations into the proverbial back room, there’s no way of knowing why they want all these additional tax bills.”

The new tax bills will be heard in the Senate Ways & Means Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 16 in Senate Hearing Room 4 in the John A. Cherberg Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia.

 

These include: