March 04, 2024

Braun reacts to Senate majority leader’s announcement he won’t run for reelection in 2024

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released the following statement upon learning that his Democrat counterpart will not run for reelection. Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane, will finish out his current term and step down. “I congratulate Senator Billig on 14 years of distinguished service in the Washington State...
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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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March 01, 2024

Legislature approves Braun bills to increase funding for small schools

OLYMPIA…Bills sponsored by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, that would increase small-school access to special-education funding and student-transportation funding were passed by the House of Representatives today. Senate Bill 5852 was passed with a unanimous vote and now heads to the governor’s office for a signature. Senate Bill 6031 passed with...
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February 28, 2024

Braun on initiative hearings: Three down, three to go

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released the following comments after the conclusion of the hearings for three of the 2024 initiatives submitted by the people of Washington to the Legislature. The initiatives receiving hearings yesterday and today are I-2111, to ban an income tax; I-2081, to protect parents’ rights...
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February 26, 2024

Senate budget funds measures to combat fentanyl addiction, overdoses

OLYMPIA – Republican proposals to tackle skyrocketing fentanyl usage and overdose deaths in Washington state are funded in the operating budget passed by the Washington Senate. The $71.6 billion budget bill contains funding for local law enforcement task forces, a public education campaign focused on opioids and tribal opioid prevention...
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February 25, 2024

Newsletter: Hearings planned for three initiatives — what about the others?

Watch: Debunking false claims about impact of initiatives 2109 and 2117 Dear Friends and Neighbors, I sent out an e-blast yesterday to alert you to the opportunity to sign in to testify in support of the three initiative below, all of which are receiving hearings next week. This is a...
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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 13, 2024

Senate passes Wilson, Braun bills to tackle opioid addiction, overdose deaths

OLYMPIA – Washington state’s fast-rising rate of opioid addiction and overdose deaths are targeted by a pair of bills that emerged from the state Senate this week, sponsored by Sens. John Braun, R-Centralia and Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver. Both measures passed the Senate 49-0 and now move to the House. The...
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February 13, 2024

Braun bill to reduce chronic absenteeism in schools passes Senate

OLYMPIA…A bill aiming to reduce chronic student absenteeism Washington’s K-12 public schools passed unanimously in the Washington State Senate Tuesday. Senate bill 5850 is sponsored by Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia. According to the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), students who miss even two days...
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