Braun says state’s response to pandemic is weakened by lack of involvement from Legislature OLYMPIA… State government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is suffering from Gov. Jay Inslee’s resistance to calling the state Legislature into session to help with key decisions, Sen. John Braun said today. Braun, R-Centralia, Republican leader on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, offered this reaction to new restrictions announced... Read More...

STATEMENT: Republican senators disappointed by abrupt end to business-recovery task force OLYMPIA…Sen. Lynda Wilson and Sen. John Braun made this comment today after Gov. Jay Inslee’s office abruptly disbanded the Business Recovery Legislative Task Force after only five meetings since April 17. The group comprised two legislators from each of the Legislature’s four caucuses. “The sudden demise of the Legislative Task... Read More...

Statements by Republican budget leaders on budget vetoes OLYMPIA…The state Legislature’s Republican budget leaders today offered these statements following the signing of the supplemental state operating budget for 2019-21, which included nearly 150 line-item vetoes. From Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, budget leader for the Senate Republican Caucus: “I appreciate the governor’s efforts to reduce spending. Knowing how the... Read More...

Braun statement regarding governor’s stay-at-home extension OLYMPIA…Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia and budget leader for Washington’s Senate Republican Caucus, made this statement about the governor’s decision to extend by one month the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order issued March 23. “This is a sound decision. From a public-health standpoint it makes sense to continue limiting the movement... Read More...

Statement about loss of Trooper Justin Schaffer “This is unbelievably sad. Trooper Justin Schaffer gave his life to keep the people of our state safe, attempting to end a pursuit of a suspected robber wanted in two counties. He was a young husband, a trooper since 2014, the son of a police chief. He is the 30th... Read More...

Braun dismayed by lack of major tax relief in Senate budget proposal OLYMPIA…Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia and budget leader for Washington’s Senate Republican Caucus, offered this statement about the supplemental operating budget proposed today by the state Senate’s Democrat majority. “The majority could have done something truly memorable with this budget. With the state’s revenue situation running 1.5 billion dollars ahead of... Read More...

In the News: Billion-dollar tax hike is latest example of government greed The Daily News, Longview Feb. 16, 2020 Opinion — Senator John Braun There are a billion reasons to be concerned about a big tax bill signed by the governor Monday after it zoomed through the state Legislature. The word “billion” applies for two reasons. First, the tax takes another billion... Read More...

Braun hopes for action on bill to help with impacts of homelessness Legislation offers grants to assist businesses with security, sanitation needs With time starting to run short for Senate policy committees to move bills forward in the 2020 session, Sen. John Braun is hoping to see action soon on his proposal to address sanitation and security needs in commercial districts with... Read More...

Braun proposes long-term answer to transportation funding Proposal would slowly shift tax on vehicle purchases away from operating budget OLYMPIA… Sen. John Braun is proposing to add a major new funding source for transportation needs across Washington without imposing a new tax. The Senate Republican budget leader plans to file legislation that would begin shifting the state... Read More...