John Braun

OLYMPIA…Gov. Bob Ferguson today signed a bill sponsored by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, that will allow schools to use state funding for more appropriate student transportation options when using a school bus is not necessary or cost-effective. Student transportation to and from school, and to various K-12 programs and services,...

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement today in response to escalating violence and harassment during protests at the University of Washington: “The events unfolding at the University of Washington have crossed every line of decency and legality. Last night, protesters threw human feces at attendees...

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following reaction to Monday’s violent occupation of the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at the University of Washington by anti-Israel, pro-Hamas protesters. The protests were in opposition to the university’s ties to The Boeing Company. “Violent antisemitic protests intended to intimidate Jewish students and...

Watch my sine die interview with TVW’s The Impact   Dear Friends and Neighbors, The regular 2025 legislative session wrapped up yesterday, on schedule – although a “special” session can’t be ruled out if the governor takes issue with the new budget. At times, this session felt even longer than...

Areas outside Seattle will see an increase of nearly 20% next year and 55% over the next six years.   Dear Friends and Neighbors, At the beginning of the week, the news media reported legislative Democrats had again decided to abandon their efforts to increase your property taxes. This was...

OLYMPIA…A bill sponsored by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, to expand exploratory career and technical education (CTE) to sixth-grade students was signed today by Gov. Bob Ferguson. It will become law 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. Currently, K-12 education funding provides exploratory CTE to students beginning in seventh grade. Exploratory...

Legislative budget week — the Tax Day rally     Dear Friends and Neighbors, On Tax Day, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak to a large crowd of Washingtonians who came to the steps of the Capitol to protest the billions in new and higher taxes Democrats...

OLYMPIA… On the final day for Senate bills to be considered by the House of Representatives, the majority Democrats in the House — including the Speaker of the House — fumbled a critical opportunity to alleviate dangerous overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities, leaving both residents and staff members in crisis....

OLYMPIA…As if proposing the largest tax increase in Washington state history wasn’t enough, Senate Democrats in Olympia doubled the number of taxes proposed by introducing five tax bills just in time for Tax Day. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, offered this reaction: “On Tax Day, no less, Democrats have...