Affordability

March 12, 2025

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...
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January 14, 2025

Another year fighting for your priorities

Friends and Neighbors, I hope that this newsletter finds you in good health and ready for a new year. I spent this week at the Capitol in Olympia preparing for the upcoming 2025 legislative session and wanted to share some updates with you. First,  I look forward to serving the...
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May 03, 2024

Sticking to my priorities – safety, affordability and our children’s future

Sticking to my priorities Friends and Neighbors, One of the ways Senate Republicans decide what our legislative priorities will be each year is to take a deep and thoughtful look around the state at the problems everyday people face. What complicates their lives? What puts them in danger? What makes...
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April 22, 2024

Newsletter: The right to protest does not include blocking access to SeaTac

The right to protest does not include blocking access to our busiest airport Friends and Neighbors, In response to the pro-Palestinian protest that blocked access to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport last week, I shared the following statement. “People have the right to peaceably protest, but they don’t have the right to...
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April 15, 2024

NEWSLETTER: Survey results: Your legislative priorities

Friends and Neighbors, Thank you to everyone who took my short survey ranking your legislative priorities. The graphic above represents the results. Read further to learn more about legislative efforts to address those priorities. It can be hard to get even the best bills passed when you are in the...
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March 15, 2024

Newsletter: Is an arrest at Green Hill School a sign things are improving?

Arrests at Green Hill School may be sign things are improving Friends and Neighbors, I toured Green Hill School this week to see for myself the conditions and protocols at the detention facility. Green Hill once housed only juveniles, but now houses adults up to age 25 if they were...
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March 04, 2024

A triple win for the citizens of Washington

Friends and Neighbors, I am pleased to report that the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives voted today to pass three of the citizen initiatives to the Legislature. They will become law 90 days after March 7 — the day we adjourn. And because they are initiatives, the governor...
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February 16, 2024

Newsletter: Fighting for public safety. And, how much will a ban on natural gas cost you?

Fighting for public safety while others fight for the rights of offenders   Watch my legislative video update   Dear Friends and Neighbors, We have reached the point during the legislative session when the Senate is back to meeting as committees, having hearings on bills that passed the House of...
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February 09, 2024

Property tax increase bill dies, won’t get a vote

  OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, made the following comments in reaction to the announcement that the proposal to allow local governments to raise property taxes by up to 3% annually without a vote of the people is dead for this legislative session. The Democratic sponsor of Senate Bill...
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