Author Archives: kimberlywirtz

Munro showed what a difference one person can make, says Senate Republican Leader

Former secretary of state left his mark on Washington, advocated for disability rights, better social services, refugee housing, trail development, state parks and killer whales – just to name a few

OLYMPIA – Former Secretary of State Ralph Munro left an enduring stamp on the state of Washington over a political career that spanned six decades, said Senate Republican Leader John Braun.

Munro’s death at age 81 was announced Thursday. During a long career of public service, he made his influence felt in many areas, from special education to saving the orcas of Puget Sound, and his involvement in the public arena continued long after he left elective office in 2001.

“Ralph made so many contributions in so many areas that he was really the Renaissance man of Washington politics,” Braun said. “He demonstrated that one person really can make a difference, and you don’t need to be the governor to do it.

“It all started by chance. Ralph was just a couple of years out of college and doing volunteer work at the Fircrest Residential Habitation Center in Pierce County in 1968 when Gov. Dan Evans came out to dedicate a building. Ralph made such an impression on Dan that he quickly found a place on the governor’s staff as an adviser on volunteerism. Ralph’s compassion influenced everything he did, and what he got done was astonishing.

“Munro became a pioneer in the area of disability rights, and he worked to pass legislation requiring our public schools to serve students with physical and mental handicaps. Once the state Legislature passed this bill, it inspired similar ‘education for all’ legislation on the federal level, so I think it is fair to say Ralph played a major role in the national movement to integrate the disabled in society. We saw his impact in big ways and small. For instance, about 50 years ago we started seeing curb-cuts at every streetcorner in the state allowing people in wheelchairs to cross the street without help. Ralph got that bill passed, too, a full 20 years before the feds started requiring handicapped access.

“The disability issue was just the start. Ralph became special assistant to the governor and he was Dan Evans’ ‘boots on the ground’ for numerous projects. He helped transform our state’s hodge-podge of social service agencies into the Department of Social and Health Services, to better coordinate state programs for the disadvantaged. On loan to the Nixon Administration, Ralph helped establish ACTION, the agency that oversaw the Peace Corps and other federal volunteer programs.

“When other states turned their backs on Vietnamese refugees who had supported us in the war, Ralph flew down to Camp Pendleton in California to say Washington was proud to do its part. We wound up hosting 30,000 refugees in this state who faced oppression, imprisonment and death if they had remained in their homeland.

“And it was because Ralph was tooling around on his motorboat on Puget Sound one afternoon that our struggling Puget Sound orca population has managed to survive to this day. He heard the cries of the killer whale calves as they were being separated from their mothers, in what turned out to be the last orca hunt on Puget Sound by the Sea World aquariums. Ralph made sure this hunt was the last, by leading the Evans Administration in a fight that landed in court and ended whaling on Puget Sound forever.

“After Evans left office, Ralph served the state another 20 years as secretary of state. When Ralph was in charge of elections, no one questioned their integrity. He loved the ceremonial aspects of the job, and he made the most of them. He used the office as a platform for the causes he felt most strongly about – protecting the environment and especially Puget Sound, advancing disability rights, preserving our state heritage and promoting our state parks.

“Honoring our history and traditions was always of great importance to Ralph. He chaired our state’s centennial celebration in 1989, and he toured the state talking about the history of state government and our constitution. In the Legislature, at our annual ceremony for legislators who have passed, it was naturally Ralph Munro who led the ceremonies, by serenading us on bagpipes. And there was nothing he loved better than serving as ambassador to the dignitaries who passed through Olympia or whom he met on trade missions abroad.

“We’ve just scratched the surface here. Ralph stayed active in public life right to the end. But I want to single out one of his accomplishments as secretary of state because I think it showed the breadth of his vision. Ralph’s leadership saved the old Milwaukee Road corridor across the Cascades to the Idaho border. When the railroad went defunct, Ralph recognized this would be the state’s only chance to preserve this corridor for public use.

“He helped organize a coalition of lawmakers, horseback riders and other recreational groups to pass legislation to buy the roadbed. Critics asked what on Earth for? But within two years the state made its money back by leasing it out for fiber-optic cables. Today of course this unpaved roadbed has become an increasingly popular trail for mountain bikers, and it has taken on a national significance as a vital link in the projected Great American Rail Trail, a paved bicycle route across the country. If it hadn’t been for Ralph, likely none of this would be happening today.

“We would probably be talking about naming the trail for Ralph if he didn’t have one named for him already. His name lives on in the 4-mile Ralph Munro Trail in Olympia, which he also was instrumental in creating, and in the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education at Western Washington University, dedicated to promoting ‘civic literacy.’ For nearly sixty years, Ralph gave us an education in what government can do, and it is hard to think of an honor more fitting.”

Washington State Senate Republicans will honor former Secretary of State Ralph Munro with a Senate floor resolution in April. Details TBD.

Braun: Slashing teacher bonuses unwise, unnecessary

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, says Washington teachers don’t deserve to have incentive bonuses cut in half by Democrats.

Educators in Washington currently qualify for a bonus for achieving certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. They can receive an additional bonus for teaching in a school that the state classifies as “high poverty.” There are several districts in our area where teachers qualify for those bonuses, and they are critical for encouraging excellence among the state’s teachers.

Democrat-sponsored Senate Bill 5737 would slash the certification bonus nearly in half. It would also cut the bonus for teaching in a high-poverty school. Both bonuses would take effect for the 2025-26 school year and would be adjusted for inflation each year afterward.

The final budget proposal submitted to lawmakers by former Gov. Jay Inslee in December would eliminate the bonuses entirely. However, the $ave Washington budget proposal released this week by Senate Republicans leaves both teacher bonuses intact.

Braun offered this response to the backlash against the Democrats’ efforts to cut or eliminate them:

“Washington’s teachers deserve to be supported, not shortchanged. These bonuses help retain excellent educators, particularly in high-poverty schools where stability is critical. Instead of cutting these incentives nearly in half, Democrats should be focused on real solutions that support students and teachers alike, especially when we are demanding better student outcomes.

“The Republican budget keeps these bonuses intact because we recognize how they encourage self-improvement. The former governor wanted to eliminate them, and now Democrats are trying to slash them.

“The backlash Democrats are receiving because of this bill is completely understandable. The teachers’ bonuses are a valuable recruiting and retention tool and are seen as part of their salary package. It is wrong to cut them.”

Sen. John Braun, Rep. Peter Abbarno, Rep. Ed Orcutt to host virtual town hall for 20th District constituents

OLYMPIA…Republican legislators Sen. John Braun, Rep. Peter Abbarno, and Rep. Ed Orcutt, who represent the 20th Legislative District, will host a virtual town hall on Tuesday, March 25, at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom to connect with constituents and provide updates on the 2025 legislative session.

During the live online event, Braun, Abbarno, and Orcutt will discuss key issues affecting Southwest Washington, including public safety, the state budget, taxes, transportation, and other legislation currently under consideration in Olympia. Constituents will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts on matters affecting their communities.

“As we navigate the challenges facing Washington, it’s critical to hear directly from the people we serve,” said Sen. Braun, R-Centralia. “This virtual town hall allows us to engage with 20th District residents in a convenient and accessible way. Accountability and transparency are important for good governance, and we hope many of our constituents will join us.”

“Hearing directly from the people of our district is essential to effective representation,” said Abbarno, House Republican Caucus Chair. “This virtual town hall provides an opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss the issues that matter most to our community. Everyone is encouraged to join the conversation and make their voices heard.”

“We have been receiving your comments and concerns via e-mail and voicemail regarding many bills before us. This town hall allows more of a conversation where we can hear your concerns and provide you with our thoughts as well as provide updates on how various policies are progressing,” said Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.

Constituents interested in attending the virtual town hall can register in advance by visiting https://leg-wa-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OuwozOk4SvyonC0ckQHlFg.

Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the event.

Senate Republican leader: Democrats expected to push tax hikes to fund inequitable pay raises

OLYMPIA – Senate Republicans released their $ave Washington budget proposal Tuesday, proving the state budget that lawmakers must adopt for 2025-27 can be balanced without new taxes—despite a multibillion-dollar shortfall.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued this statement about the Republican budget and Democrats’ push for billions in new and higher taxes:

“We’re being told the state faces a $10–$15 billion deficit, that tax increases are the only way out, and that failing to raise taxes would lead to catastrophic consequences for the most vulnerable. None of it is true.

“Our budget would take a better, more honest approach. Nonpartisan staff place the shortfall at $6.6 billion. Democrats inflate the shortfall to include $4 billion for worker pay raises negotiated by former Governor Jay Inslee when the state still had a surplus. The financial landscape has changed, and those raises are no longer feasible.

“Instead, the $ave Washington budget provides each of these employees with a $5,000 bonus, split evenly over two years. This is a more progressive solution: Employees earning under $80,000 come out ahead with the bonus after those two years, compared to the negotiated pay raises, which favor those with higher salaries.

“At a time when Washingtonians are struggling to afford the basics, forcing them to pay higher taxes just to fund $4 billion in raises—disproportionately benefiting higher-paid employees—only serves public-employee unions, not the people.”

Senate Unanimously Passes Braun Bill to Improve Safety, Reduce Overcrowding in Juvenile Facilities

OLYMPIA – Legislation from Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, to address overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities and improve safety for both staff and inmates was passed by the Senate unanimously today. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 5278 responds to ongoing issues at institutions like Green Hill School in Chehalis, which have worsened since juvenile-justice laws were changed in 2018 and 2019. One such change, known as “JR to 25,” allows those convicted of crimes before age 18 to remain in juvenile facilities until age 25 instead of being transferred to adult prisons.

This policy has contributed to rising violence, gang activity, riots, drug smuggling, overdoses, and even deaths at Green Hill. The facility, overseen by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), has become increasingly difficult to manage, with some staff members even participating in illegal activity.

“The current system is failing both staff and inmates,” said Braun. “Violent offenders are taking advantage of a system that wasn’t designed to hold them long term, leading to dangerous conditions inside our juvenile-justice facilities. JR-25 was well-intentioned, but our system was unprepared for the overcrowding that would happen.

“Green Hill School sometimes houses residents at twice its capacity. SB 5278 would provide officials with tools to manage the population so that minimum-risk residents can begin transitioning back into society and more-dangerous residents can be transferred to the custody of DOC.”

SB 5278 also would give DCYF more flexibility in managing its inmate population, allowing inmates over 18 who pose a danger to others to be transferred into the custody of the Department of Corrections (DOC). Additionally, inmates over 18 could voluntarily request a transfer to a DOC facility.

“A critical piece of this legislation is the set of rules it puts in place for infraction management,” Braun explained. “Frequently, criminal charges have been made against residents because the system doesn’t provide those managing our juvenile-justice facilities with a method of providing consequences for infractions without returning the residents to the criminal-justice system. When you combine all these tools, they allow staff to operate the facilities in a way that keeps staff and residents safe.”

The bill also creates pathways for less-dangerous inmates to reintegrate into society before completing their sentences. Some could be transferred to one of eight residential facilities, where they would receive treatment, educational, and vocational support, or serve part of their confinement in a community setting.

Another option under SB 5278 is participation in a DOC work-release program. Eligible inmates would live in partial confinement while holding a job, attending college, or participating in vocational training. However, their privileges could be revoked if they violate supervision conditions.

“We aren’t providing the services that the residents at our juvenile-justice facilities deserve – that we are required to provide – because the overcrowding has made conducting classes and providing treatment or counseling too dangerous. We need to do more to get these young people back on track,” said Braun.

“The unanimous passage of this bill in the Senate shows that improving public safety and rehabilitating young offenders is not a partisan issue. We all want a system that protects staff, supports rehabilitation, and ensures that those who are truly dangerous are placed in the right environment. Senate Bill 5278 moves us in that direction.”

Senate committee backs Braun bill to reduce chronic absenteeism

OLYMPIA… A bill introduced by Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, to help school districts address chronic absenteeism has been approved by the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

Senate Bill 5007 is aimed at supporting students at risk of falling behind academically due to excessive absences.

In September 2024, KUOW radio reported Washington remains among the worst states for chronic absenteeism, with roughly 30% of students missing more than 10% of the school year—approximately three weeks. While that figure reflects some improvement over the prior year, it remains twice the pre-pandemic level and higher than the national average of one in four students.

“This is a straightforward issue,” said Braun. “Students who don’t attend school regularly struggle to keep up, and that puts them at a disadvantage. Some families face challenges that make regular attendance difficult, and schools need more support to help address those barriers. This bill provides tools to parents and educators to help get students back in the classroom.”

Braun noted that chronic absenteeism is linked to lower graduation rates and long-term economic and health challenges.

“If we can do more to prevent those outcomes, we should,” he said. “I appreciate the committee’s support and hope the full Senate will consider the bill soon.”

Subject to available funding, SB 5007 would require each of Washington’s nine educational service districts to develop training and coaching programs for school staff focused on reducing absenteeism. It would also expand the Building Bridges Program to include chronically absent students, offering grants to community-based organizations, tribes, and community and technical colleges to support intervention efforts.

The Building Bridges Program is a local partnership of schools, families and communities that provides:

A means of identifying students at risk of dropping out
Coaches or mentors to provide support
Staff to coordinate the community partners so there is a continuum of academic and nonacademic resources
Retrieval/reentry activities
Alternative educational programming

NEWSLETTER: Democrats want a mileage tax AND they want to tax the tax

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

People in Washington are currently struggling with a high tax burden, especially with the increases in the cost of living brought on by other government policies. But that’s not stopping Democrats from demanding new and higher taxes.

This week, Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives are once again sponsoring bills to impose a “road-usage charge” on Washingtonians. Republicans have fought successfully for many years to avoid this regressive and heavily burdensome tax, more commonly known as the mileage tax or pay-per-mile tax.

We know it would disproportionately hurt those living in rural areas, families who need to commute or transport kids around to school and activities, and those who have no choice but to drive long distances.

Senate Bill 5726 (and House Bill 1921) would create a program to tax you 2.6 cents for every mile you drive, claiming it would be used solely for maintenance and the preservation of highways. However, that money would not be designated solely for transportation projects by the 18th Amendment to the Washington State Constitution. It could potentially be used for other purposes by future legislatures, unlike our gas-tax revenue.

But SB 5726 doesn’t stop with just the mileage charge. It would also impose a tax of 10% on the amount you pay for the mileage charge.

Yes, you read that right. It taxes the tax.

Let’s look at an example. On average, drivers in Washington put 13,500 to 16,500 miles per year on their cars. At 2.6 cents per mile, they would owe between $351 and $429. But with the additional 10% tax on that amount, they would actually owe $386.10 to $472.90. This would be in addition to the state gas tax, the federal gas tax, and the Climate Commitment Act charges you already pay.

Worse yet is that Democrats are also considering an increase in property taxes, an increase in the tax on receipts that businesses pay, and a “wealth” tax that, when implemented in other states, has actually hurt the economy and cost the residents family-wage jobs because the wealthy can easily move out of state.

We saw this happen when the Democrats imposed the income tax on capital gains here in Washington. Innovators such as Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos moved out of state and other businesses decided not to locate here.

A recent poll showed 77% of Washingtonians do not want new or higher taxes this year. Most of them also believe they will end up bearing the cost of new and higher taxes through increased prices and fewer jobs.

Republicans have proposed ways to reduce state spending and avoid raising taxes to cover the deficit that chronic overspending has created. The plan is called $ave Washington. I encourage you to watch our website for more information on the budget, the deficit and the taxes Democrats are supporting – all of which we are fighting against.

Sincerely,

Sen. John Braun

WATCH: My weekly legislative video update

In this week’s episode of my legislative update video, I talk about how my bill to help with overcrowding at juvenile justice facilities such as The Green Hill School was passed in the Senate. I also talk about the bill to reform the governor’s emergency powers, which you can testify on next week. And, I talk about the ongoing effort to fund the hiring of additional law enforcement officers and the plan to change the culture in policing.

Bad bill: Redesigning our state flag

Claiming that the Washington state flag is poorly designed and no longer relevant to our state’s identity, a House Democrat has proposed a bill to create a committee to redesign the flag by July 1, 2028.

House Bill 1938 further disparages the current flag, calling it an outdated and uninspired failure. It also says that while George Washington is a significant historical figure, he has little connection to the state of Washington and having his likeness on the flag is less meaningful and hard to reproduce.

SB 1938 would create a committee to lead the redesign process. The committee would include legislators, the Secretary of State, a historian, tribal representatives, regional representatives, designers, and someone from the Washington State Arts Commission.

The committee would be tasked to, “Develop and adopt a new design for the official state flag that accurately and respectfully reflects Washington’s shared history, resources, and diverse cultural communities.”

SB 1938 also would require the issue to be voted on by the people through a referendum to find out if the public supports a redesign at all. That’s right: Democrats would let you vote on something like this, but not on their efforts to undermine the Parents’ Rights Act. When Republicans proposed an amendment to SB 5181 that would allow for a voter referendum, Democrats flatly refused.

Washington’s flag has represented our state for over a century, and the idea that honoring George Washington is somehow outdated is absurd. While I’m glad the people would ultimately have a say through a referendum, if this utterly unnecessary bill actually becomes law, this seems like nothing more than political pandering, not the actions of people who are serious about solving problems.

Instead of spending time and resources on redesigning a flag, Democrats should be joining us to focus on the real issues affecting Washingtonians—like affordability, public safety, and education.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT?

Share your thoughts on this bill with my office.

Braun files bill to step up state’s handling of child-neglect cases

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, introduced legislation today aimed at improving the state’s response to child-neglect cases and reducing costly lawsuits stemming from inadequate intervention.

Cases of child neglect are increasing, as are monetary settlements against the state for its handling of these cases. Senate Bill 5736 seeks to address these challenges with a two-pronged approach designed to improve outcomes for vulnerable children.

First, if the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) determines a child-neglect allegation to be valid, SB 5736 would require the agency to inform the family about public-assistance programs it may qualify for, including employment services, food assistance, and childcare support.

Second, the bill would establish an inter-agency team to review chronic child-neglect cases. If DCYF finds that a case involves ongoing neglect, it would be referred to this team, elevating the state’s response and potentially leading to stronger interventions.

“We cannot allow children to slip through the cracks and suffer the consequences of instability,” said Braun. “Because poverty is so often a large contributing factor in child neglect cases, by better connecting parents and guardians to resources that improve their financial situation, we can reduce the incidence of child neglect.

“Protecting the most vulnerable in our communities is a moral imperative and should be among the highest priorities for any state legislator. We must use every tool at our disposal to enhance the well-being and safety of children at risk of neglect and abuse. Failing to act not only harms these children but also burdens taxpayers with expensive legal settlements—draining resources that could otherwise help other vulnerable Washingtonians.”

DCYF is responsible for 151 payouts of $1 million or more in the past four years. Payouts due to claims and lawsuits against state agencies represent one of the fastest-growing areas of the state budget, costing more than $500 million in the past two years. Braun is a co-sponsor of SB 5144, which would provide more oversight by legislators of agencies that incur million-dollar payouts.

Legislative Democrats are on the wrong side of parents’ rights

On Monday of this week, I sat for an interview with John Roberts of FOX News to discuss Senate Bill 5181, which would undermine the Parents’ Rights Act that resulted from Initiative 2081 last year. (Click the photo above to watch my interview.)

I was invited to respond to a statement made by the Senate majority leader last week in which he said: “Kids over 13 years old have a complete right to make their own decisions about their mental-health care. Parents do not have a right to have notice. They do not have a right to consent about that.”

I believe parents have a right and a responsibility to be involved in their children’s lives. The law should encourage that, and when the Parent’s Rights Initiative was passed last year, I saw it as a step in the right direction. The initiative was about sharing educational and medical information in a school’s possession with parents. At issue is what parents have a right to know about when their child is at school and when they are given that information.

No matter what happens to a student, their parents have a right to know about it. The state does not belong in the middle of the parent-child relationship, and parents are the ones who should be seeking help for their children with mental or behavioral-health problems.

Democrats repeatedly claim that they are protecting kids whose parents might harm them or neglect them if they knew what was going on at school. This is rare, and we already have laws that address abuse and neglect. But Democrats continue to sponsor and pass legislation that divide parents from children, often when kids need the most support. This kind of legislation destroys trust in public education.

SB 5181 passed in the Senate without a single Republican vote. Democrats accepted three of our amendments. House Democrats have sponsored their own bills that undercut parents.

If SB 5181 gets a committee hearing in the House, you will have an opportunity to testify against it. In the meantime, you may share your thoughts and call on Democrats to “kill” the bill by contacting the following people.

Speaker of the House: laurie.jinkins@leg.wa.gov

Chair of the House Education Committee: sharontomiko.santos@leg.wa.gov