Author Archives: kimberlywirtz

The initiatives: Restoring parents’ rights and protecting girls’ sports

Watch my weekly video update.

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

You may have heard that two citizen-led initiatives have been certified recently and are now before the Legislature. If passed, one would restore parents’ rights to know what’s happening to their children in public school (IL26-001).The other would ban biological boys living as transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports (IL26-638).

Let’s take a closer look.

Restoring parents’ rights (IL2-001): This bill seeks to restore and reenact the “Parents’ Bill of Rights,” which was passed by the Legislature in 2024 as Initiative 2081 and partially repealed by Democrats in 2025. This proposal would ensure parents have the right to review all educational materials, access their children’s medical and mental-health records, and be notified before medical services are provided to their children at school.

As a parent of four, this seems pretty commonsense to me. We don’t give up our rights to information about our children and their education the moment they step into a classroom. Teachers and administrators should not be allowed to keep secrets from parents about their children’s wellbeing or any medical interventions being led by school staff unless that child is being abused.

Last year, the Majority gutted the parents’ rights bill that had passed the year before. As a result,  schools can delay telling you about safety/criminal issues involving your child for up to 48 hours after an incident. They can withhold certain mental-health and medical information. And your right to opt your child out of certain curriculum materials is very narrow.

Ironically, in 2024, the initial Parents’ Bill of Rights passed unanimously in the Senate and received an 82-15 bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives – yet many of those who supported I-2081 turned around and voted to weaken it less than a year after the law had taken effect. The effort to hide things from parents is led by special-interest groups who claim to have your children’s best interest at heart, but actually serve an agenda rejected by most.

 

Banning biological boys from girls’ sports (IL26-638): This initiative aims to prohibit “biologically male” students from participating in school-sponsored sports designated for female students. It would require students to provide a statement from a healthcare provider verifying their biological sex based on reproductive anatomy, genetics, or natural testosterone levels. A genetic test would be a simple cheek swab or blood test, and a testosterone test would also be run from a blood sample.

This initiative upholds the original intent of Title IX, which was to provide women and girls with dedicated opportunities to compete. Allowing biological males into these categories can displace female athletes, rolling back 54 years of hard-fought civil rights protections for women and girls.

The primary goal is to preserve a level playing field. Scientific data indicates that biological males typically possess physiological advantages that persist even after hormone therapy.

As of early this year, 27 states have passed laws restricting sports participation based on biological sex. Washington would be joining a growing national consensus on fairness in women’s sports. National polling consistently shows that 68-70% of Americans believe transgender athletes should compete on teams that match their biological sex, so this should also be considered a common-sense policy.

How can you share your thoughts?

Majority Democrats have refused to hold a public hearing on either initiative, despite the Washington State Constitution declaring that addressing initiatives is the top priority for the Legislature other than budget legislation.

However, you can sign in as PRO or CON on the initiatives by clicking or scanning the QR code below.

 

Scan this code or click on it to sign in as PRO or CON for the initiatives.

 

You can also submit written comments online. Choose one of these links and click on the button that says “Send comment to your legislators.”

Banning biological boys from girls’ sports (IL26-638)

Restoring parents’ rights (IL2-001):

If you have questions or concerns, you can email me at john.braun@leg.wa.gov.

Sincerely,

Senator John Braun

 

An attack on your right to direct Democracy

During the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, Democrats sponsored two bills that aim to severely curtail the ability of the citizens of Washington to file initiatives to the Legislature — a constitutional right that gives the people the power to change specific policies.

We call the bills “Initiative Killer” and “Initiative Killer 2.0.” In line with the colorful nicknames, these two bills are a threat to the people’s right to engage in direct democracy.

Initiative Killer (Senate Bill 5382): Requires signature gatherers circulating initiative and referendum petitions to sign declarations as to the validity of the signatures, for which they would be personally liable. This is despite no evidence of a single invalid signature having been counted on an initiative. Similar legislation in Oregon more than tripled the cost to qualify an initiative (to $500,000, instead of $150,000).

Initiative Killer 2.0 (Senate Bill 5973): Prohibits signature gatherers from being paid for each signature collected and requires a minimum of 1,000 signatures to be submitted when the initiative is proposed — even before the minimum 400,000 signatures to file it can be collected. This would disincentivize people from working as signature gatherers and it would slow down, or even stop, the filing process.

Several years ago, Democrats managed to pass other legislation that limited voters’ ability to weigh in on specific policy by banning “advisory votes.” These would appear on the ballot as a list of taxes passed by Democrats and voters could then say whether or not they thought any should be repealed. While these votes were strictly advisory and did not actually repeal taxes, they put a spotlight on government greed and uncontrolled spending.

Arguing that voters were easily confused by advisory votes, Democrats successfully fought to eliminate them, effectively keeping people in the dark while they dug deeper into our pockets.

In news articles before this year’s session began, Democrat leaders claimed voters gave them the majority in the Legislature, therefore they had a mandate to proceed with their agenda – whatever that might include. That’s false: there was no statewide vote to put Democrats in control, the voters chose on a district-by-district basis — and Democrats simply won more of those seats than Republicans. And any time individual policies in that agenda are called into question by the people, Democrats resist the scrutiny.

What are they afraid of? Are they worried that the people of Washington want transparency and accountability, including the chance to directly rewrite specific policy they don’t like?

Whether or not you support either one of the initiatives currently before the Legislature is not the point. You might support one next year or the year after that, and as Democrats continue their efforts to undermine the process of direct democracy, they undermine your rights as well.

You can help protect the citizen-initiative process and stop these bills.

Contact the chair of the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections. He’s also the prime sponsor of the Initiative Killer bills.

 

Stopping fraud in state housing grant program

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

There’s been plenty of news lately about the defrauding of government programs, specifically by some daycare owners in Minnesota. While that issue has received a lot of attention, it is not unique. Across the country, people commit fraud against all kinds of publicly funded programs, accessing benefits intended for people who are truly in need.

Not only is this morally wrong, it’s criminal.

Every taxpayer should be concerned about fraud — that’s your money being stolen or misused — and I’m sponsoring Senate Bill 6205 to address a specific category of fraud here in Washington.

Fortunately, SB 6205 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Housing Committee at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Before the hearing, you can:

  • Sign in online to support the bill,
  • Testify on the bill from home OR in person; or,
  • Submit written testimony to the committee.

Learn how to testify in committee.

Read my news release.

Listen to my radio release.

 

WHAT DOES SB 6205 DO?

SB 6205 addresses the bad combination of nepotism, fraud and lack of accountability in a publicly funded housing program designed to help people of color become homeowners. It’s called the Community Reinvestment Plan (CRP).

The bill would make it illegal for the officers of any of the nonprofits in charge of distributing CRP money, and their family members, to receive any of the housing grants or benefitting from the grants indirectly.

The bill would also require the Department of Commerce to evaluate how the grants are distributed and make the results available to the Legislature.

 

WHY DO WE NEED THIS REFORM?

According to information recently provided by a whistleblower, one of the nonprofits in charge of distributing money for the CRP gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to people with close family connections to the organization while others in need went without.

In one instance, an individual received $350,000 toward the purchase of a $425,000 home. It turned out that her mother controls the purse strings for one of the nonprofits in charge of distributing the grants. Two other people with ties to the same organization received $50,000 and $100,000 respectively. Part of the $50,000 grant was reportedly used by the recipient to pay off her credit card debt.

Next week, I will share committee testimony on SB 6205. If you have questions or concerns, you can email me at john.braun@leg.wa.gov.

Sincerely,

Senator John Braun

 

 

WATCH: Fraud, fentanyl and the income tax

Watch my weekly legislative update for week two of the 2026 Legislative Session.
I cover fraud, fentanyl and the income tax.

 

 

Protecting children from exposure to fentanyl

WATCH MY FLOOR SPEECH

My bill to add fentanyl to the child endangerment statute passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support for the fourth time. It is headed back to the House, where I hope the majority will grant it a hearing in committee and a vote on the House floor.

Read my news release about SB 5071.

 

 

“Three strikes” and you’re out…on the street

 

Watch the testimony of Melanie Roberts, whose 80-year-old grandmother was murdered in Seattle in 2024 by a perpetrator who should have already had three strikes.

 

The latest attempt by the Legislature’s Democratic majority to weaken Washington’s “Three Strikes Law” received a committee hearing recently. It included a sad display of disrespect by the committee chair toward one of the testifiers — Melanie Roberts, whose 80-year-old grandmother was murdered in Seattle by someone who could escape a life-without-parole sentence if Senate Bill 5945 passes. Watch Melanie’s testimony.

“I want you to think if you know anybody who has been impacted by a violent act — drunk driver, assault, rape, murder. Would it make it ok if the drunk driver, rapist, robber or murderer was under 18? Would the victim be any less violated, traumatized or dead? No.

“So if the outcome is the same for the victims, why is it different for the perpetrators?”

-Melanie Roberts

Since 1994, Washington’s Persistent Offender Accountability Act, better known as the “Three Strikes Law,” has required a sentence of “life imprisonment without parole” for a third conviction of a serious violent felony. It was intended to keep people safe from repeat offenders who commit crimes such as murder, rape, robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

SB 5945 would eliminate “strikes,” or serious crime convictions, if they were committed by offenders when they were juveniles. This would roll back some current inmates to two strikes, instead of three, which would result in their life sentences being reduced.

The individual who killed Melanie’s grandmother in August 2024 has already been convicted of three violent crimes and should be serving life in prison, but what would have been his third strike was negotiated down in a plea deal. If SB 5945 passes, his latest conviction — which should be strike four — still won’t count as strike three. Why? Because he committed his first strike when he was under 18.

THE ARGUMENT

Supporters of SB 5945 argue that those under 18 lack the brain development to be held fully accountable for juvenile offenses — even violent ones such as rape and murder. Therefore, juvenile offenses shouldn’t factor into their sentencing if they commit more violent crimes in the future.

I strongly disagree. This policy prioritizes criminals over victims, plain and simple. Teenagers are old enough to know that raping a child, murdering their parents or beating an old woman to death is wrong. Because of its violent nature, that juvenile conviction should remain a strike toward life in prison. SB 5945 is an affront to victims and the victims’ surviving families and friends.

We’ve heard Democrats make this same tired argument before. The irony is that they seem to forget about those same underdeveloped brains when the discussion shifts to whether children can change their gender in kindergarten or get an abortion at any age — without parental consent.

This bill would affect the sentences of about 24 inmates, at present. That doesn’t take into account the effects it will have on those left permanently traumatized and victimized by these offenders. The bill would also prevent some of those who commit future violent crimes from being permanently removed from society.

WHAT NOW?

Majority Democrats voted SB 5945 out of committee on Wednesday. Every Republican on the committee voted “do not pass.” It now is set for a public hearing next Thursday, Jan. 29, before the Senate Ways and Means Committee. That’s when I will get to question the supporters directly.

You can help stop SB 5945 by contacting Senate Democrats to demand they put the bill down.

If Democrats ultimately pass it in the Senate, you will need to contact legislators in the House of Representatives and demand they do what the Senate would not.

If the House gives it a hearing, you will be able to sign in online to oppose the bill and register to testify against it. Make your voice heard.

I will update you on the movement of this bill so you can help stop this terrible legislation from becoming law.

 

Is the fourth time a charm? Commonsense child safety bill passes Senate…again

Watch Sen. Braun’s floor speech on SB 5071 on Jan. 21, 2026.

 

 

OLYMPIA…The Washington State Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader John Braun, to add fentanyl to the list of substances in the child endangerment law. Senate Bill 5071 was approved by a vote of 40-9.

The Senate has approved the legislation in each of the past three years. Each time, the bill moved to the House of Representatives for consideration, it failed to receive a hearing – stopping it from moving forward.

To overcome the hesitancy about the bill, Braun successfully asked the Senate to endorse a change that maintains the bill’s protection of children without requiring prison time for those accused of endangerment. For a first offense, the person charged would automatically have access to court-ordered parent support services, which could include drug treatment. On subsequent offenses, it would be up to the court’s discretion if the individual received services or was incarcerated.

“Similar diversion programs have resulted in low recidivism rates, partly because they require a high level of oversight, including frequent check-ins for compliance,” explained Braun.

As SB 5071 moves to the House for consideration – again — Braun called upon the House to seize this opportunity to pass this new version of the bill.

“I hope House Democrats listen to the pleas of law enforcement, community leaders and families who must confront the deadly effects of fentanyl on children who are exposed to the drug by the adults in their lives. This is a chance for them to put those children first,” said Braun.

“This bill does not criminalize addiction,” Braun continued. “People with Substance Abuse Disorder need help, but they are still responsible for their actions. And actions have consequences. If someone’s possession of fentanyl endangers, injures or kills a child, they should be held to account. Put children first.”

 

Watch Sen. Braun’s floor speech on Senate Bill 5701.

Braun bill aims to protect housing grant program from fraud

OLYMPIA…Concerned by whistleblower reports of fraud and nepotism in a state housing-assistance program, Senate Republican Leader John Braun has introduced legislation to help ensure taxpayer dollars allocated to the program are distributed fairly and as state law intends.

Senate Bill 6205 aims to prevent unfair insider access to housing grants from the Community Reinvestment Plan (CRP), which is intended to help people of color become homeowners. The Centralia lawmaker said his legislation also requires the state Department of Commerce to evaluate how the grants are distributed and report to the Legislature.

Under the 2022 law creating the CRP, funding allocated for housing grants is funneled through nonprofit organizations, which are expected to distribute it equitably. However, recent news reports based on a whistleblower’s records showed that a woman who received $350,000 toward the purchase of a $425,000 home in Tacoma happens to be the daughter of the person overseeing CRP housing grants for one of these nonprofits.

Others associated with the same nonprofit also received large grants, with some of that money reportedly used to pay off a recipient’s credit-card debt.

“Defrauding publicly funded programs is stealing from taxpayers,” said Braun, who serves southwest Washington’s 20th Legislative District. “If those entrusted to allocate taxpayer dollars violate that trust by awarding housing grants inappropriately, they should be held accountable. Bad actors shouldn’t be able to exploit taxpayers for their own gain.

“The intent of the CRP is to assist people with down payments and closing costs to get them into a home. It’s certainly not about helping friends and family of those holding the purse strings to cover most of a home’s total cost while leaving other applicants with no help at all. This bill would reform the program so it can benefit more of the people it was created to help.”

SB 6205 has been referred to the Senate Housing Committee and awaits a hearing.

News stories regarding misuse of CRP funding:

##

NEWSLETTER: A new year and still billions of dollars in the red

Watch my weekly legislative update to learn more about what’s happening
this early in the 2026 Legislative Session.

 

 

Elected sheriffs shouldn’t become partisan pawns

WATCH the testimony by the Sheriff of Spokane County against SB 5974.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

When voters elect a sheriff to lead the law-enforcement officers who protect their county, an unelected board that answers to the governor should not have the power to decertify that sheriff. Allowing a non-elected entity to remove an elected official undermines the will of the people—and democracy itself. It also turns sheriffs into pawns of partisan politics and the agenda of the majority party in Olympia.

This may seem like an obvious principle. Yet Democrats in Olympia are backing Senate Bill 5974, claiming it will “strengthen and modernize” the laws governing sheriffs and other law-enforcement officers. In reality, the bill would erode local control and concentrate the power over criminal justice in Olympia—to the detriment of all 39 counties across Washington.

Sheriffs are elected under processes defined by our state Constitution. They swear an oath to uphold not only that constitution, but—above all—the U.S. Constitution. They also swear to uphold the laws of our state, subject to the constraints of the constitutions.

The Democratic majority has already passed the so-called Keep Washington Working Act, which contains unconstitutional mandates aligned with their political agenda. SB 5974 represents the next step: empowering the state to remove sheriffs who recognize that their constitutional obligations count more than those dictates.

The bill received a hearing in the Senate Law and Justice Committee on January 15. Many sheriffs testified in opposition, raising serious concerns that we share—particularly about the negative effect on rural communities.

There are broader implications as well. The Spokane County Sheriff noted that SB 5974 would make sheriffs the only elected officials in Washington who could be removed or decertified by a non-elected board. Ask yourself: Why would Democrats care about a county sheriff differently than a county auditor, or a city mayor? Many in the law-enforcement community have described the bill as a targeted political attack.

More than 13,000 people signed in to oppose the bill at the committee level—an extraordinary level of engagement, especially on just the fourth day of the legislative session. Thank you to everyone who took part.

If you oppose this legislation, now is the time to act – before the committee can vote. Contact the chair and members of the Senate Law and& Justice Committee and demand they reject Senate Bill 5974.

Elected sheriffs should remain accountable to their voters—not to an unelected board with no connection to the communities they serve.

Sincerely,

John Braun

 

My commentary in The Centralia Chronicle

An income tax on anyone in our state would
become an income tax on everyone.

Do the Democrats who run Olympia think Washingtonians are fools? It sure seems that way as we learn more about their plan to create a state income tax.

As I write this, we still don’t know the details, because no income-tax bill has been filed. But Democrat leaders clearly want to approve a state income tax this year – and now we see how they’ll try to sell it.

From Governor Ferguson on down, income-tax supporters claim it would apply only to people whose annual taxable income exceeds $1 million. That’s right in line with their divisive, make-the-wealthy-pay-more ideology. It also acts as the “bait.”

The trouble is, everyone knows a state income tax has been a Democrat dream for many decades. Common sense tells us the ultimate goal is to have every Washington resident pay it. A high-ranking member of the House Democrat majority even agrees. That’s the “switch.”

READ THE FULL COMMENTARY

 

This week on “Elephant in the Dome,” I discuss the governor’s State of the State address, income tax proposals, public safety challenges, transportation funding issues, the importance of transparency, and why debates should focus on ideas — not individuals.

WATCH

LISTEN

 

NEWSLETTER: Is Washington getting a state income tax?

Let’s cut to the chase: Is Washington getting an income tax? If Democrats and the governor get their way, the answer is yes.

Governor Bob Ferguson announced this week that he supports a state income tax, so long as it only applies to people earning more than $1 million a year. Make no mistake—this would be the first step toward a broader income tax that would eventually affect most, if not all, Washingtonians.

The governor also acknowledged that even if Democrats pass an income tax this year, the state wouldn’t see any revenue until 2029. Why the delay?

 

BACKGROUND

Washington’s Constitution prohibits a graduated income tax— one that charges different rates based on income. Any graduated income tax passed by the Legislature would almost certainly be challenged in court. In fact, Senate Democratic leadership has openly said that’s the plan.

The goal is to have the Washington State Supreme Court reclassify income so the Constitution no longer applies. We’ve seen this strategy before.

In 2023, Democrats passed an income tax on capital gains. Even though the IRS and every other state consider capital gains to be income, Washington courts rebranded it as an “excise tax” to let it stand. That ruling is now the legal foundation Democrats are relying on to justify pushing an income tax even further.

In the meantime, the state budget would not rely on the new tax revenue until—presumably—the courts approve it.

To be clear: I oppose any attempt to impose an unconstitutional income tax in Washington. Republicans in both the House and Senate will fight this because Washingtonians have been crystal clear—they do not want a state income tax. Period.

Voters have rejected income taxes more than ten times. As recently as 2024, they passed Initiative 2111, which permanently bans personal income taxes at the state and local level.

Ironically, for years Democratic governors—including Jay Inslee and Bob Ferguson—touted Washington’s lack of an income tax as a key reason businesses should locate here. A few years ago, the Department of Commerce quietly removed that selling point from its website. That should have been a warning sign.

 

 

INCOME TAX INSTEAD OF A SALES TAX?

Some people assume Washington would become like Oregon, which has an income tax but no sales tax. That is not what Democrats are proposing.

Nowhere have they promised to eliminate the sales tax. Under their plan, Washington would have both a sales tax and an income tax. In fact, the admission that the income tax would see no revenue for several years is a guarantee that the sales tax will continue, as is.

 

A SPENDING PROBLEM

Days before the governor’s announcement, he released his supplemental budget and vowed to veto sales or property tax increases. Notably absent from his list? An income tax.

Why won’t Democrats get the message? Washington doesn’t have a revenue problem—it has a spending problem. Even mainstream media is beginning to realize this.

The state operating budget is $77 billion, having ballooned dramatically over the past decade. Yet despite record spending, have we reduced homelessness? Fixed our housing shortage? Recovered from learning loss in our schools? Addressed the mental health and substance abuse crisis?

The answer is no.

Washington can’t afford to continue down the Democrats’ tax-and-spend path. Their ideology-driven budgeting has created a multibillion-dollar shortfall. The solution isn’t digging deeper into your pockets—it’s reprioritizing how your tax dollars are spent.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

You can speak out against this income tax—and any others—by contacting the bill sponsors, budget committee chairs, legislative leaders, and the governor’s office. Tell them to stop pushing unconstitutional taxes and start living within our means.

When these bills receive hearings, you can sign in to oppose them and even testify—either in person or remotely.

Learn how to testify in committee.

Your voice matters.

I will keep you updated as this fight continues.

Sincerely, Senator John Braun

 

 

Washington does not have the most regressive tax structure in the nation

Democrats — and much of the press — routinely say Washington has the “most regressive” or “upside-down” tax system in the country. That claim comes almost entirely from one partisan advocacy study that’s been repeated so often it’s treated as fact.

 

WHAT THE NEUTRAL ANALYSIS FOUND

A new economics paper by professors from Princeton, the University of Minnesota, and economists at the Federal Reserve, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), reached a very different conclusion.

Instead of ranking Washington as worst-in-the-nation, the NBER study found that Washington’s overall tax-and-spending system is essentially middle-of-the-pack — about 23rd nationally.

That’s a dramatic difference.

 

WHY ARE THE RESULTS SO DIFFERENT?

There are two big reasons the NBER findings don’t match the oft-cited partisan study:

 

  1. The partisan study mostly just ranks income-tax rates

The study Democrats cite heavily weights whether a state has a high top income-tax rate. In fact, the NBER authors point out that the partisan ranking closely tracks which states have the highest income-tax rates, not which states are actually most “unfair” overall.

Washington doesn’t have an income tax — so that study effectively penalizes us from the start.

By contrast, the NBER research:

  • Looks at all income levels, not just the very top
  • Measures what people actually pay, across the full income range
  • Finds Washington’s effective tax rates for most working and middle-class residents are very close to the national average

In other words: when you look at the whole income ladder, Washington doesn’t stand out as extreme.

 

  1. The NBER study includes benefits — not just taxes

This is the most important difference.

The partisan study looks only at taxes paid. The NBER study looks at taxes paid and benefits received.

This means it accounts for:

  • Public assistance
  • Social services
  • State spending that directly benefits lower- and middle-income households

When you include those benefits, Washington turns out to be one of the more generous states in the country — and those benefits significantly offset any tax regressivity.

Very few states provide more in transfers and services than Washington.

 

THE BOTTOM LINE

When you look at the full picture — taxes and benefits — Washington:

  • Is not the most regressive state
  • Is not an extreme outlier
  • Lands squarely in the middle nationally

The claim that Washington has the “worst” tax system depends on ignoring half the equation.

 

ONE MORE FINDING THAT RAISES EYEBROWS

The NBER paper also found something Democrats rarely mention:

  • People at all income levels tend to move away from states with more progressive tax systems
  • This effect is strongest among high earners
  • States that rely heavily on income taxes tend to have higher overall tax burdens
  • States with sales and property taxes tend to have lower average tax rates

 

IN SHORT

Highly progressive tax systems may sound good in theory — but in practice, they often drive people (and jobs) elsewhere. A single tax alone might not motivate people to move, but every new tax may be the last straw that does.

 

 

UPDATE: The Green Hill School

 

Gov. Ferguson’s 2026 budget proposal includes nearly $12 million for Washington’s two most significant juvenile rehabilitation facilities — the Green Hill School and Echo Glen.

Both have been plagued by dangerous overcrowding resulting from a policy known as “JR to 25,” which allows those convicted of felonies before the age of 18 to remain at the facilities with youth offenders until age 25, when they are transferred to adult prisons.

For years, I’ve called for thorough investigations into violence among the residents, assaults against staff, poor security, and illegal activity among staff. Last year, my bill to allow the transfer of some of the adults before the age of 25 to the custody of the Department of Corrections passed the Senate but was killed in the House. If it had passed, it would have helped to alleviate the overcrowding soon after taking effect.

I also sponsored a bill last year that a bill that would require staff at these facilities to wear body cameras as a means to improve transparency, accountability and safety for everyone. Unfortunately, the Democrats never gave it a hearing.

The governor would spend the $12 million on higher salaries for current staff and additional security. While I support a variety of efforts to fix this ongoing problem, any money spent should be part of a larger effort to drastically and immediately improve conditions.

Legislative Democrats should stop playing games with the lives of the residents and staff at our juvenile rehabilitation centers and pass my reforms in 2026.

 

 

NOW RECRUITING: Senate Pages for the 2026 Legislative Session

 

Do you know a young person (age 14 to 16) who would like to be sponsored by my office to page for the Legislature this year?

Read more about the program:

“The Washington State Legislature has one of the finest page programs in the country. Each year, hundreds of students from across Washington have the opportunity to take part in the legislative process and watch the Legislature and other branches of state government in action.

Pages are sponsored by legislators and serve for one week during the legislative session. Pages spend their week learning about the legislative process while distributing materials throughout the capitol campus, assisting offices, delivering messages, working on the chamber floor, and carrying the flags at the opening of each day’s legislative session. Pages also spend time each day in Page School learning about all aspects of state government.”

To speak with Senate Page Program staff about accommodations​ or how the Senate can help facilitate a positive paging experience, please contact:  

Myra Hernandez
Civic Education Director
P.O. Box 40482
Olympia, WA 98504-0482
(360) 786-7498

Are you broke yet? Democrats ready to pass even more taxes in 2026

LISTEN: Jobs Tax. Income Tax. Innovation Tax. Sen. John Braun Says: Enough to Democrat Tax Hikes

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Affordability remains the number one concern for families across Washington, yet the policies championed by Democrats in Olympia continue to push our state further out of step with the rest of the country. Instead of easing pressures, their decisions are making Washington one of the least affordable places to live, work, and run a business.

Gas prices are falling nationwide, but Washington still ranks among the top three most expensive states in the country. Our restaurants face the highest operating costs in America while earning the lowest profit margins. Schools, nonprofits, and small businesses are still suffering from last year’s expansion of the sales tax.

As we approach the 2026 legislative session, people have every reason to be concerned. We are currently facing a $4 billion budget shortfall, but so far, we are hearing about proposals in the neighborhood of $11 billion in new or higher taxes.

Democratic leaders have already announced plans for a new tax on jobs—one that threatens our economy—and they have openly stated their intent to pass a state income tax this year.

When they tell you they plan to do this, believe them.

 

The reality about a state income tax

Washington’s constitution prohibits a graduated income tax. Any tax that applies only to individuals earning above a certain amount—while exempting everyone else—is unconstitutional. Despite this, Democrats appear determined to push one through anyway and send it to the state Supreme Court, hoping the court will reclassify it as an “excise tax.”

If that happens, the door opens for the very tax Washington voters have rejected 11 times at the ballot box.

Some voters mistakenly believe that adopting an income tax would mean eliminating our sales tax. That is not on the table. There is no proposal—none—to model our system after Oregon’s, which has an income tax but no sales tax.

Meanwhile, several of our largest employers have already stated publicly that they will leave Washington if an income tax is enacted. For decades, our Democratic governors touted the lack of an income tax as a key incentive for companies to locate here. Now, the majority party is prepared to give those same employers every reason to leave.

We have a fight ahead

Republicans will fight to protect you, your paycheck, and your job from any attempt to impose an income tax in Washington. But we cannot do it alone.

You can make a difference by contacting Democratic legislators and telling them to reject this tax. You can testify when the bill receives a hearing. And you can encourage your friends, neighbors, and family members to get involved as well.

I will keep you updated as this and other harmful proposals move through the Legislature. Your participation matters. Your voice matters.

Together, we can make sure our voices are heard.

Sincerely,

Senator John Braun

 

 

Can Washington afford it?

 

Before passing another law, we should ask one question: Can Washington afford it – not just in dollars, but
in safety, trust and opportunity?

Families across Washington are struggling to pay bills, find affordable housing, and feel safe in their
communities. Polls show “affordability” is the people’s top priority. Every decision in Olympia has a cost,
and it’s time we make affordability the test for every policy – financial, moral and generational.

As the minority, our job is to hold the majority accountable for the cost of their leadership and to offer
common-sense solutions Washington CAN afford.
This session we will connect every issue – from taxes to education to public safety – back to this simple,
people-centered truth:

Washington can’t afford policies that make life harder for the families we represent.

 

Myth vs fact:

MYTH: So much was cut from the budget last year that there isn’t anything left to cut.

FACT: The budget actually GREW by 8.2% last year. Democrats didn’t make cuts – they changed their funding priorities and programs such as one caring for drug-addicted babies were defunded.

MYTH: Last year’s deficit was $16 billion to $20 billion.

FACT: According to NONPARTISAN staff, the true deficit was $7.3 billion. Democrats made a policy choice to fund $4 billion in pay raises for state employees. They did NOT need to pass the largest tax increase in state history.

MYTH: We need more “revenue,” including an income tax.

FACT: The Democratic majority doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending problem. Democrats need to reevaluate their priorities. Also, a graduated income tax, which taxes people at different rates based on their income, is unconstitutional in Washington and voters have rejected a state income tax 11 times. This hasn’t deterred Democrats from pushing for one and lobbying the state Supreme Court to consider it an excise tax instead.

By the numbers:

  • The fastest growing part of the budget is lawsuit settlements worth billions of taxpayer dollars paid to victims and their families for Democratic mismanagement of state agencies and their policies that result in the injury and death of the most vulnerable.
  • Washington remains dead last nationwide for the number of law enforcement officers per capita, despite the hiring of more than 300 new officers.
  • Washington is one of the three most expensive states for gas prices due to $0.52/gal in Democratic carbon taxes
  • The average household income in Washington is roughly half what is required to qualify for the median-priced home.
  • Washington’s restaurants have to charge the highest prices in the nation, but have the lowest profit margins in the nation (1.5% compared to the 4% national average).
  • Washington is rated 35th nationwide for business climate, down from 15th in 2022. The drop is due to the income tax on capital gains.
  • Washington ranks as the 7th least affordable state for infant care, with care for one infant costing 17.8% of a family’s yearly income.
  • Democratic policies will force an 18.6% electric rate hike over the next two years for many Western Washington consumers.
  • Washington could see blackouts across the state due to Democrats’ policies that will remove 1292 megawatts of electricity from the grid in 2026.

 

Keep Washington Livable

  • Reject policies that make life more expensive
  • Advance solutions that reduce costs and reward hard work and innovation
  • Protect jobs and keep job providers in Washington

Washington can’t afford higher taxes and fewer economic opportunities.

 

Keep Washington Safe

  • Prioritize victims over offenders
  • Expand and strengthen law enforcement
  • Protect kids from overdoses, abuse and exploitation

Washington can’t afford policies that put our communities in danger.

 

Keep Washington’s Promise

  • Improve public school academic attendance and performance
  • Support stronger, healthier families
  • Reinvest in foster care and childcare programs

Washington can’t afford to neglect its responsibility to our kids and to their future prosperity.

 

Local flooding and a state of emergency

The 20th Legislative District has been impacted by heavy rains this week, resulting in localized flooding and landslides. Randall is completely cut off and Highway 12 remains closed, officials do not know when roads will reopen.

The governor has declared a state of emergency, which includes the activation of 300 National Guardsmen to assist with response (pending approval from the federal government.)

Today, at noon, he held a news conference to update everyone on the status of the response. Watch the press conference.

According to the governor and emergency management officials, the situation is unpredictable. They do not know exactly what will happen when the second wave of water reaches the lower areas of the rivers. They expect rivers to crest around 10 p.m.

This is affecting areas on both sides of the mountains and up and down the entire state.

If you have been advised to evacuate, please do so. Do not drive through standing water. Stay off of the dikes – they could fail and cause serious injury. What we will see happen this evening will test the work done after the work done in 2021 on our levies. Do not assume that because you made it through previous floods okay that you won’t experience dangerous conditions now.

The next 12 hours will be critical and will place a lot of demands on our emergency services. You can help by following guidelines and staying away from evacuated areas and flood waters.

I am concerned for all who are impacted and urge everyone to continue to take necessary precautions. As always, I hear stories of our local emergency personnel, government officials, and community members who have stepped up to care for their neighbors. I am grateful to serve a community that is defined a strong sense of care.

 

My latest column: Soft-on-crime legislators have blood on their hands, local prosecutor says

On the surface, a pair of murders in our state nearly two months ago don’t have anything in common except for each occurring in mid-October and resulting in the arrest of a young man.

One occurred in north Seattle, the other in Spokane — far from our corner of the state. Yet it’s a local prosecutor, Lewis County’s Jonathan Meyer, who sees two common denominators.

Not only are the suspected murderers both former residents of Green Hill School, the county’s state-run juvenile facility, but he ties the timing of the crimes to this year’s passage of House Bill 1815.

It’s among the latest additions to a very long list of soft-on-crime laws supported by Democrats.

READ THE FULL COMMENTARY

STATEMENT: Corruption in race-based homeownership program exploits taxpayers, undermines public trust

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, is calling for a full investigation and immediate accountability after a Seattle journalist’s months-long investigation revealed information indicating that people connected to a race-restricted homeownership program have been misusing taxpayer funds for personal gain.

The investigation involves the Community Reinvestment Program managed by the state Department of Commerce. It was launched by majority Democrats through a $200 million budget appropriation in 2022 and received another infusion in the budget adopted in April.

Braun said the apparent scandal demonstrates a deeper problem: state-endorsed discrimination creates fertile ground for corruption, allowing a select few to profit while struggling families are fed false hope.

“This mess isn’t an accident — corruption thrives wherever government decides certain people get special treatment and others don’t. When politicians divide people by race, they create a shadow system with no transparency, no fairness, and no results. That’s exactly what we’re seeing here.

“The Democratic majority funneled another $50 million to this program last year. People were told to trust this program – that it would have widespread impact in minority homeownership. Instead, the report I saw today indicates it’s been treated like a private bank account. This is about more than wasting money — it has stolen hope from families counting on a fair chance to build a future.

“When public money is hijacked by self-serving operators, every Washingtonian pays the price. Corruption at any level is morally rotten, but especially if it happens under the nose of the agency that has been entrusted to oversee this program. This financially destructive to our state and simply cannot continue.

Braun said Senate Republicans will sponsor legislation to:

  • Eliminate discriminatory housing programs that pick winners and losers based on race
  • Impose strict oversight and spending controls on state-funded nonprofits
  • Enforce performance standards so that assistance reaches real families, not insiders

 

STATEMENT: Another Green Hill scandal a continuation of ‘systemic failure’

WATCH KING TV’S REPORT

 

CENTRALIA — Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement today in response to reports that staff at Green Hill School in Chehalis recorded sexual acts with inmates in custody:

“The reports coming out of Green Hill School are appalling. Instead of rehabilitating inmates housed at the facility, some staff have been sexually exploiting them – and recording it.

“Arrests have already been made, which is a necessary first step — but it does not address the deeper breakdowns that allowed this to happen.

“The ‘JR-to-25’ policy expanded the juvenile-justice population without considering the resources or safeguards necessary to manage it responsibly. Mixing adult offenders with younger residents has created dangerous overcrowding and a volatile work environment. That instability has driven out qualified staff, invited misconduct, and put both youth and employees in harm’s way.

“I am calling for the immediate release of all investigation findings, the termination of any remaining implicated employees, and a 30-day corrective-action plan from DCYF that includes clear benchmarks for staffing, training, supervision, and oversight.

“The Legislature must also conduct bipartisan public hearings to examine not just these criminal acts, but the policies that created this environment. The facility is not meeting its mission and it’s costing the state three times as much to operate.

“Those in state custody are there to be rehabilitated, not used for the sexual gratification of staff who have shown they have no business working in the system. Accountability must be swift, transparency must be complete, and the culture at Green Hill must change from the top down.”

“I’ve proposed solutions to address this ongoing problem, none of which have made it out of the Democratic-controlled Legislature despite bipartisan support.”

During the 2025 legislative session, Braun sponsored legislation (Senate Bill 5278) that would have improved conditions at the state’s largest juvenile institutions – Green Hill School and Echo Glen, near Snoqualmie –by allowing them to send some of the inmates over 18 years of age to adult facilities operated by the Department of Corrections. The Senate passed the bill, but House Democrats killed it at the request of Sen. Claire Wilson, a King County Democrat whose own bill on juvenile justice lacked support.

Braun said he will urge the Senate Human Services and Ways and Means committees to coordinate hearings on the Green Hill failures, as well as the statewide effects of the JR-to-25 expansion on safety, staffing, and rehabilitation outcomes.

 

Background

  • Two Green Hill School staff have been arrested and charged with custodial sexual misconduct; at least one has entered a guilty plea.
  • In July 2024, DCYF suspended new intakes at Green Hill School and Echo Glen Children’s Center amid escalating safety and staffing problems.
  • The JR-to-25 policy allows some offenders to remain in juvenile facilities until age 25, leading to overcrowding and increased incidents of violence and assault.
  • Media and oversight reports have documented at least 21 criminal referrals involving Green Hill staff since 2024.