Community college students would pay 10% lower tuition under Braun bill
January 24, 2018
More than 170,000 students attending Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges would pay 10 percent less in tuition under new legislation sponsored by Sen. John Braun. “More jobs than ever require some training or education after high school,” said Braun. “The state’s community and technical colleges train students in a... Read More...
Lower B&O taxes for manufacturers proposed to help reverse job losses
January 23, 2018
A bipartisan group of lawmakers are hoping to revive a reduction in the state’s business and occupation tax for manufacturers and reverse the trend of significant job losses in the sector. The proposal would implement a 40 percent reduction in the tax rate for manufacturers, which passed with overwhelming support... Read More...
New capital budget makes major investments in flood protection and schools
January 19, 2018
The Washington State Legislature approved a new capital budget Thursday evening, bringing a variety of investments in infrastructure and community projects to Southwest Washington according to Sen. John Braun. The $4.2 billion budget, which runs through June 2019, makes historic investments in building schools, expanding mental health treatment facilities and... Read More...
Education funding update
January 14, 2018
Last year I provided many updates on what lawmakers proposed and ultimately passed to provide a high-quality education for all children. The end result was a historic investment that not only amply funds our public schools but also makes education more equitable throughout the state. Since 2012, the Legislature will... Read More...
Property tax relief for all Washingtonians
January 13, 2018
The share of property taxes paid by homeowners compared to commercial properties has increased significantly in recent decades. I proposed legislation to provide equitable tax relief by creating a homestead property tax exemption. The policy would exempt the first $100,000 of a homeowner’s assessed value from state property taxes. If passed... Read More...
2018 session underway
January 12, 2018
State lawmakers returned to Olympia on Monday for what is scheduled to be a short 60-day session. Since we adjourned in July, the dynamic has shifted as Democrats won a special election in November, giving them a narrow majority in the Senate for the first time since 2012. We accomplished... Read More...
Braun proposes separate districts for House elections
January 09, 2018
Legislation increases ability of lawmakers to contact voters and diversifies geographic representation in Legislature With this year’s Legislature set to review a variety of voting reforms, Sen. John Braun is calling for the state to divide legislative districts into two distinct House districts under a bill released today. Two House... Read More...
Sen. John Braun statement on Gov. Inslee’s 2018 supplemental budget plan
December 14, 2017
Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia and the ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, gave this statement after Gov. Jay Inslee unveiled his 2018 supplemental budget proposal Thursday morning.   “I’m encouraged by a few components of the governor’s budget plan. I’m glad he is finally adhering to the... Read More...
Students invited to apply for 2018 Senate Page Program
December 01, 2017
The Washington State Senate is currently accepting applications for the 2018 Senate Page Program, where students ages 14 to 16 spend one week at the Capitol working in the Senate. Sen. John Braun encourages students to apply for the program, which provides a front-row seat to the legislative process. “With... Read More...