Tag Archives: Jay Inslee

STATEMENT: Just in time for summer driving, Inslee cap-and-tax scheme pushes Washington gas prices to highest in nation

CENTRALIA… The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in Washington is now worst in the nation, and Senate Republican Leader John Braun says the state’s controversial cap-and-tax law is clearly the main driver of the price jump.

Braun, from Centralia, serves Washington’s largely rural 20th Legislative District. He offered this statement regarding the harm being caused to low- and middle-income Washington families, especially those in rural areas, by a law that functions as a gas tax while doing nothing to improve the state’s roads:

“No matter what you call it – cap-and-trade, cap-and-invest, or the more accurate cap-and-tax – this is also a case of bait-and-switch from Governor Inslee and the Democrats who currently run Olympia.

“Almost a year ago the governor defended this scheme by claiming any effect on gas prices would be ‘minimal’ or ‘pennies’ once 2023 arrived, and more of the law took hold. That was either ignorant or dishonest. A gallon of regular unleaded in our state cost $3.84 on average the first week of January. Today it’s $4.89. No one would call that ‘minimal’ or ‘pennies.’

“Those responsible for this harm keep trying to pin the shocking cost increase on the oil companies, yet I don’t hear them explaining why any oil producer would have incentive to raise prices in our state so dramatically in comparison to our neighbors. In Oregon you will pay $4.58 today, and $3.98 in Idaho. The Democrats’ cry of ‘price gouging’ just doesn’t stick when you set all the gas taxes aside and see Washington’s base cost is 20 cents more per gallon than Oregon and 54 cents more than Idaho.

“Midway through this year’s legislative session, as gas prices were falling most everywhere but here, Republicans again proposed a temporary suspension of the state gas tax. An immediate savings of nearly 50 cents per gallon obviously would have helped families lower their cost of living and employers lower the cost of doing business. But our Democratic colleagues showed no more empathy than they had in 2022, when Olympia had a $15 billion surplus and easily could have acted to make driving more affordable.

“If there is price gouging, it’s being done by the governor and his political allies. They have used the power of the state to turn carbon emissions into a commodity, as part of their crusade against fossil fuel and internal-combustion engines. And there’s no end in sight to the pain at the pump, just as the arrival of summer has people looking forward to some traveling and recreation. We must do better.”

STATEMENT — Republican leaders: Call special session to fix or repeal long-term care tax before tax collections begin

Governor’s delay of ‘Washington Cares’ tax won’t prevent January deductions from paychecks

OLYMPIA…In response to new information about how the governor’s delay of the long-term care tax won’t stop tax collections in January, Senate Republican Leader John Braun of Centralia and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox of Yelm issued this statement:

“The governor’s announcement last week that the ‘Washington Cares’ long-term care tax would be delayed led everyone to believe that the tax would not be collected from their paychecks come January. State employees received notice that only those who have already been granted an exemption to the program will not have the tax deducted. Otherwise, the tax will be collected as originally planned. How is this a delay? How has the governor helped matters? He hasn’t. The governor’s announcement changed nothing. The only thing it did was publicly acknowledge that the program is a mess.

“We need to go into a special session before the state begins collecting the tax and repeal this bill – even if it’s over the holidays, using virtual technology to meet on short notice. The program is so unpopular that more than 400,000 Washingtonians applied for an exemption and thousands of others want out but couldn’t get a private policy before the deadline. Why? Because the way the law is written drove insurance carriers to pull out of Washington.

“Under the current law, it is legally questionable if anyone who has the money deducted from their paycheck won’t receive it back – not even if they are granted an exemption. People are angry. The governor stands to make them even angrier if he fails to have the legislative branch address this before January 1.”

Don’t force employers to become ‘vaccine police,’ says Braun

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this statement today regarding Gov. Jay Inslee’s recent proclamation requiring employers to verify the COVID-19 vaccination status of employees who wish to work without wearing a mask.

“State government has consistently shown a lack of faith in the people’s ability to take precautions against COVID-19. Those handing down the ‘guidance’ don’t seem to recognize employers have nothing to gain by having either their customers or workers become ill. As more people get a closer look at this proclamation, they’re viewing it as another example of the same distrust and mismanagement seen from the executive branch for most of the past year – and a new way for government to control their lives.

“The governor will let employers have an honor system for customers who don’t want to wear a mask, but workers who don’t want to wear face coverings are automatically suspect? Employers shouldn’t have to become the ‘vaccine police’ for any reason. Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to prevent discrimination based on vaccination status in places of public accommodation. Compare that to how the Department of Labor and Industries is suggesting workers be marked according to their vaccination status.

“Leaders of the Democrat majority in the Legislature realized it would be a mistake to pursue a vaccine-passport policy. Trying to require a workplace passport by proxy is just as much of a mistake. I support vaccinations, and encourage people to consider vaccinations for themselves and their families. I also believe it is a personal choice that should be respected. It is wrong for the government to segregate people based on their vaccination decision. The governor’s emergency powers should not be used for coercion, which is another reason Republicans believe they need to be reformed.”

Braun calls on state’s top officials to ensure school starts on time

With the threat of teacher strikes looming in local school districts throughout the state, Sen. John Braun called on Washington’s top elected officials to fulfill their moral and legal obligation to ensure students can return to the classroom on time. On Thursday Braun sent a letter to Washington state’s governor, attorney general and superintendent of public schools requesting their assistance in discouraging teacher strikes and taking legal action to prevent them if necessary.

“Forcing children to remain out of the classroom reduces educational opportunities and creates a major burden for families,” said Braun, R-Centralia, who sponsored the 2017-19 state operating budget that made historic investments in Washington’s K-12 public schools. “Classroom time is precious and especially important as students return from a long period off. A strike would also force families to make last-second plans to keep their children safe and supervised, which for some would require taking time off of work. This is incredibly difficult for single parents and households where both parents work.”

Recent weeks have featured many reports of local teachers authorizing strikes and even the Washington Education Association training teachers for the picket line. According to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, start dates vary by school district, but the overwhelming majority begin over the next two weeks, while some are already underway.

“A dispute between adults should never harm children,” said Braun. “In addition to being illegal, a strike would be especially concerning as many districts already agreed to a contract for the upcoming school year and are only re-negotiating for additional pay. Unfortunately, we’ve already seen public comments from union officials that they would ignore the legal prohibition against public employee strikes. That is why I am asking our top officials to fulfill their duty to ensure the law is upheld.”

Since the Washington State Supreme Court ruled the state was not amply funding public education in 2011, the Legislature has committed to nearly doubling state education funding, going from $13.6 billion in the 2011-13 budget to $26.8 billion in 2019-21. As a result, Braun says Washington state will almost assuredly rank in the top five nationally in state education funding per student.

“Whether our top officials side with local union officials or the school district, they must execute the duty we all have to provide a world-class education system, which includes having children in the classroom learning.”

Under the current budget, the state will provide on average more than $72,000 for teacher salaries during the 2018-19 school year, which does not include additional pay from local levies. This also does not include pension, health care or time off benefits paid by the state.