Statements by Republican budget leaders on budget vetoes
April 03, 2020
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
April 02, 2020
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
March 24, 2020
“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...
Legislature sends Braun’s taxpayer-protection measure to ballot
March 09, 2020
Proposed constitutional amendment would bring stability to long-term care fund OLYMPIA…More than a year before Washington workers are required to begin paying into a long-term care fund, Washington voters will have an opportunity to direct those payroll-tax dollars into investments that could strengthen the fund while protecting taxpayers. Late Thursday... Read More...
Braun dismayed by lack of major tax relief in Senate budget proposal
February 24, 2020
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...
Revenue forecast makes $30 car tabs even more viable, says Braun
February 19, 2020
OLYMPIA…Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia and budget leader for Washington’s Senate Republican Caucus, made this statement following today’s adoption of the first quarterly state-government revenue forecast for 2020. The forecast indicates revenues for the 2019-21 budget cycle are $606 million ahead of the November 2019 forecast, for a total estimated revenue... Read More...
Braun hopes for action on bill to help with impacts of homelessness
January 28, 2020
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...
Don’t replace botched tax hike, says budget leader, just abandon it
January 21, 2020
Tax would balloon to $1 billion from $773 million under Senate majority proposal  The state Senate’s majority Democrats should simply repeal the badly flawed business-tax increase that took effect Jan. 1 rather than pursue a new plan that would take far more money from professional-service providers, says Sen. John Braun.... Read More...