Tag Archives: Sen. Braun

Sen. Braun’s E-newsletter – May 09, 2016

Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

The Legislature finally adjourned after a 20-day special session to conclude work on the state’s supplemental budget. As the lead budget negotiator in the Senate this year, I worked to ensure a sustainable and responsible budget that would allow us to live within our means.

I believe we accomplished those goals with the budget we passed. The final agreement meets the requirements of Washington’s 4-year balanced budget law, preserves the rainy day fund, and refuses to go back to the irresponsible budgets of years past.

This is in contrast to the original proposal from House Democrats that drained the state’s rainy day fund, reduced K-3 class-size spending by $500 million, and proposed news taxes to pay for new state programs. Instead, we continue our investments in K-12 education, fully fund historic tuition cuts, and improve treatment for our state’s most vulnerable including the disabled and mentally ill. We said no to higher taxes and insisted on a sustainable budget with no gimmicks.

Unfortunately, some of our work was undone when Governor Inslee vetoed several cost-saving measures in the budget before signing it.The result was the loss of over $200 million in cost savings. The governor’s vetoes undercut this work and will make our job building a balanced two-year budget next year much more difficult.

I firmly believe that without the influence of the Senate Majority Coalition, the future of our state would be much different. Over the past four years, we have brought needed discipline to our state’s budgeting process. We have consistently lived within our means, funded our state’s real priorities such as education and our most vulnerable, and held the line on new taxes.

My work in the Legislature

In addition to working on the state’s budget, I had the opportunity to sponsor a number of bills aimed at improving our state and local community. Several of these bills were requests from constituents and local businesses who have already experienced benefits from this legislation such as changing the way the state provides industrial insurance for students and volunteers as well as expanding access to mental health services by allowing qualified physician assistants to deliver critical services. Click here for more information on bills that I have sponsored.

I have also been developing a policy newsletter, called “Economic Sense,” that takes an in-depth look at issues facing the Legislature. Please take a moment and read highlights from the latest editions and visit my website for more information.

SJR 8215: A Compromise Giving Voters a Say in Tax Increases

Simple majority of Legislature to raise taxes that must be referred to voters

The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus has tried twice to give voters the opportunity to make the popular two-thirds majority tax-vote rule part of Washington State’s constitution, where it would be safe from judicial or legislative interference. Senate Democrats have stood in the way, saying it would allow a minority of legislators to block the actions of the majority. SJR 8215 offers a compromise resolving the Senate minority’s concern, while ensuring voters have a say before tax increases are enacted.

Click here to read more.

Pension Liability & Debt Service – A Growing Share of the Budget Pie

Pension liabilities and debt service are the fastest growing areas of the state budget, costing almost $4 billion together. This is more than the combined state support of the mentally ill, those with developmental disabilities, nursing homes, early learning and the UW & WSU.

These costs are putting our ability to provide essential services at risk. Reforms are needed to ensure taxpayer dollars are not consumed by long-term debt service and pension liabilities.

Click here to read more.

Who Makes our Laws?

During each legislative session I take an in-depth look at significant economic policy issues. The most recent edition of my “Economic Sense” policy paper concerns administrative rule making. My legislative proposal will rein in executive agencies that have increased the number of rules, which have the force and effect of law, by 38 percent over the past decade. The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) now contains 22,000 pages of rules that impact every aspect of our lives. The problem is that those rules are made by unelected and unaccountable agencies with minimal input from the public. My bill, SB 6396, will require all new rules to automatically sunset the year following their enactment unless legislative action is taken.

Click here to read this most recent edition of “Economic Sense” and take a look at my website to catch up on previous editions on topics ranging from state employee compensation to higher education.

Staying in Touch

You received this email report because you are a 20th Legislative District resident. Under election-related rules, Senators who are up for re-election later this year – including me – are allowed to send two e-newsletters to those who have not actively subscribed to them. If you wish to continue to receive additional updates you must subscribe.

I hope you will take a moment to sign up so I may provide you with more news about your state government. Just click on the link below. Due to those restrictions this will be the last communication you will receive from my legislative office until after the 2016 elections.

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It is an honor to serve as your state Senator. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with questions or concerns regarding your state government.

Sincerely,

John Braun,

20th District State Senator

Contact Me:

Email:John.Braun@leg.wa.gov

Olympia Office:

407 Legislative Building

PO Box 40420

Olympia, WA 98504-0420

Phone:(360) 786-7638

Website: SenatorJohnBraun.org

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Braun lauds approval of bipartisan budget

Tuesday evening the Legislature approved a supplemental budget, concluding the legislative session. Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, voted in favor of the bipartisan proposal that makes minor adjustments to the state’s two-year operating budget approved last year.

“This is a good supplemental,” lead budget negotiator Braun said. “It meets the requirements of Washington’s 4-year balanced budget law, preserves the rainy day fund, and refuses to go back to the irresponsible budgets of years past.”

This is in contrast to the original proposal from House Democrats that drained the state’s rainy day fund, cut nearly $500 million from K-3 class-size reductions and proposed news taxes to pay for new state programs.

“The final budget continues our investments in class-size reduction, fully funds historic tuition cuts, and improves treatment for our state’s most vulnerable including the disabled and mentally ill,” Braun said. “We said no to higher taxes and insisted on a sustainable budget with no gimmicks.”

The budget passed in the House of Representatives 78-17 and 27-17 in the Senate.

Budget documents are available online, here.

Governor signs Braun legislation to extend insurance to student volunteers

Gov. Jay Inslee today signed Senate Bill 6293, sponsored by Sen. John Braun. The new law, which won unanimous legislative approval, will allow businesses to offer industrial insurance to unpaid interns and student volunteers.

“This legislation will help expand opportunities for students to gain valuable experience in the workforce,” said Braun, R-Centralia. “Employers now have options to take on student interns, where previously they could not afford the risk of injury on the job.”

Currently, businesses may choose to cover volunteers or interns who are in high school, but they are not allowed to cover any college student who is unpaid. Braun’s legislation expands coverage to student volunteers enrolled and participating in a program authorized by any public or private school, including institutions of higher education.

Centralia College educators in the new Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management (BASM) program were instrumental in the passage of the legislation. Students in this program are required to participate in an internship for graduation.

Brian Cummings, the internship instructor, and Larry McGee, the original program director, recognized that allowing businesses to cover these students is critical to the program. “So much has changed in our state in the last 10 years to enhance educational pathways for our students,” said McGee. “We want nothing to inhibit the provision of high quality internships.”

Bipartisan agreement reached on 2016 supplemental budget

Budget leaders from the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives today announced they have reached agreement on an update of the state’s current two-year operating budget. Work on a supplement to the 2015-17 budget has been under way since the 2016 regular legislative session gave way to a special session March 10. The updated spending plan includes adjustments that will pay for the costs of fighting the 2015 wildfires and increased funding for mental health care, while complying with the state’s four-year balanced-budget requirement.

“Last year we found broad bipartisan agreement on a sustainable two-year budget that made historic investments in K-12 education and reduced college tuition, while living within the means provided by taxpayers,” said Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, who serves as vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and is a lead budget negotiator. “This year’s budget update builds upon those investments and addresses the needs of Washington residents, including significant improvements in mental health treatment and care for some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

Lawmakers are expected to vote on the bipartisan agreement Tuesday.

“Every legislative session is an opportunity to do something to improve the lives of Washington’s seven million residents,” said Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, chair of the House Appropriations Committee. “It took a little longer than I had hoped, but this budget was worth the wait. The Legislature will make key investments that address the teacher shortage crisis, improve mental health services, reduce homelessness, and improve the lives of foster kids. It’s not everything we wanted, of course, but that’s the reality of a divided government. The only path forward is through compromise and that’s what we’ve done with this budget agreement.”

Final budget details will be available online at leap.leg.wa.gov by Tuesday morning.

Senate approves Braun bill to rein in authority of state agencies

Today the state Senate approved legislation introduced by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia to limit the power of state agencies by changing the way they make rules. Senate Bill 6396 would require proposed rules to be submitted to the state attorney general’s office for an opinion on their constitutionality. In addition, any new rule would automatically expire after a year unless the Legislature acts to extend it. The measure was approved by a vote of 26 to 23 and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“The problem with the flood of agency rulemaking is a lack of transparency and accountability,” said Braun. “State agencies have created 6,100 new pages rules and regulations over the past 10 years that have the force and effect of law, often with minimal public input or transparency. Laws are meant to be made by the Legislature; putting that power in the hands of unelected bureaucrats is a detriment to our state’s democracy.”

The Washington Administrative Code contains 22,000 pages of agency rules and has increased by 38 percent in the past decade. Although state agencies are granted rulemaking authority by law, Braun’s legislation would make it clear that an agency also must show it has the authority to propose a particular rule.

“This is a reasonable approach to restore accountability in lawmaking to the citizens’ elected representatives,” Braun said. “Currently, too many rules are made by agencies citing their general purpose rather than a clear delegation of authority by the Legislature. If agencies know that we will be reviewing those rules, it will give them pause to reflect on exactly what legal grounds they are making the rule. The simple fact is that rulemaking lacks the transparency and public input of the legislative process. As representatives of the people, we should not be handing that function of government over to the Executive Branch.”

Braun’s bill is modeled after practices in Colorado where any new rule adopted or amended expires after one year unless the Legislature renews the rule via legislation.

Braun bill to boost state’s mental-health system approved

Today the state Senate approved legislation introduced by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia to expand the pool of medical professionals capable of addressing mental-health needs of Washingtonians. Senate Bill 6445, which cleared the Senate unanimously, would clarify state law to include physician assistants in the delivery of mental-health services.

“Our state needs more mental-health professionals to meet the significant demand for treatment,” said Braun. “Our state has invested significant financial resources into our mental-health system in the past three years. This legislation clarifies that physician assistants with the appropriate education, training and experience can deliver these critical services.”

Physician assistants are not listed in the state Department of Social and Human Services rules regarding the delivery of mental-health services. Braun’s bill would allow these medical professionals to be classified in the mental-health code along with psychiatrists, physicians, and psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioners, while maintaining high standards of practice already in place.

“These medical professionals are licensed to provide many vital health services under supervision of a physician,” Braun said. “And it only makes sense that if they have the training and education they should be part of our state’s mental-health care system.”

Senate approves Braun bill to bring timber money back to schools

The state Senate today approved Sen. John Braun’s legislation that would make permanent a state policy that returns money from federal timber sales to local schools. Senate Bill 6292 would eliminate the reduction of state school funding to districts based on what they receive in federal forest revenues. The measure cleared the Senate by a vote of 35-14 and moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“This bill makes a small but needed change to restore resources for many of our school districts, especially in rural areas,” said Braun. “The state has been reducing its basic education funding to districts that received federal timber revenues, and that places extra burdens on the districts that are least able to handle them.”

Currently, 21 percent of property in Washington is designated as national forest, which is exempt from property tax. These federal funds are designated to go to the school districts in those areas to make up for lost property tax revenue. However, the state has been deducting that same amount from their basic education funding, effectively negating the goal of the program. Braun’s bill would eliminate the reduction in state basic-education funding to school districts that receive federal forest revenue, restoring the original intent of Congress.

“I’ve worked over the past several years to keep these funds available through the budget to the 215 school districts that receive federal forest revenues and this legislation provides a permanent solution,” Braun said.

Braun stands for taxpayers, votes to put 2/3rds tax increase amendment to the people

Deputy Majority Leader Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia voted Friday to let Washingtonians have the final word on requiring a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to raise taxes. Senate Joint Resolution 8211, which would let voters decide on a constitutional amendment requiring a supermajority to raise taxes, failed to receive support from the Senate’s minority Democrats, falling short of the 33 votes needed to move to the House of Representatives.

“The voters in our state have said numerous times that it should be more difficult for the Legislature to raise taxes and I’m disappointed that the measure failed,” said Braun. “Today’s vote was about letting the taxpayers exercise their right to amend their constitution concerning taxes.”

Voters approved Initiative 1185 in 2012 which would have limited the Legislature’s ability to raise taxes, requiring a two-thirds majority vote. However, the state Supreme Court ruled that initiative unconstitutional in 2013.

“I believe that Washingtonians deserved an opportunity to vote on an amendment to our state’s constitution on this issue,” said Braun. “In 2012, 75 percent of the voters in my district supported making it harder for the state to take more of their hard-earned money and I don’t think that sentiment has changed. I’m disappointed that some here in Olympia think the only solution to the problems facing our state is more taxes and are unwilling to let the citizens vote on this constitutional change.”

SJR 8211defined “raise taxes” as any action or combination of actions that increase state tax revenue deposited into any fund, budget, or account. It also required a simple-majority vote in both legislative chambers to impose or increase a fee; that change would end lawmakers’ practice of delegating the fee-setting authority to various state agencies.

Report from Olympia: Don’t miss these important updates!

Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

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Olympia Update

We are halfway through the 2016 legislative session. As you may know, this is a supplemental budget year during which minor adjustments are made to the two-year budget adopted at the end of the 2015 session. That budget is a good, hard-fought plan that prioritizes state spending and keeps government living within its means. This year is about making minor mid-course corrections based on information we didn’t have a year ago, such as actual wildfire fighting costs or actual school enrollments for 2015-16. This is similar to what a family might do for its home budget, where spending may be more in one area or less in another depending on the month.

We do have a couple surprises to deal with. Although K-12 education is being fully funded as required by law, challenges remain regarding reliance on local school levies which are regressive for rural districts like ours. Areas that are more urban with higher property values are able to provide more local resources, while the districts with lower property values are left with gaps in their funding. I am very concerned about this issue and want to find a fair approach that enables all students in our state to receive a quality education – one that isn’t dependent solely on a student’s ZIP code.

Another education policy issue our Senate majority is addressing relates to charter schools. Late last year, the state Supreme Court ruled that the way the state funds charter schools is unconstitutional. The solution for this doesn’t cost the state additional money since our budget already planned to fund school choice options; it’s simply a matter of providing funding in a slightly different way. The Senate approved legislation that I co-sponsored, Senate Bill 6194, which reenacts Initiative 1240 to authorize charter schools with a specified funding source. The state House of Representatives has yet to take action on this legislation.

Adding to our budget challenge is the cost of mismanagement at the state Health Care Authority which has resulted in a half-a-billion budget shortfall over four years. That level of overspending is hard to deal with in a supplemental budget year. In addition to this general mismanagement, we’ve seen multiple failures over the years in providing required reports to the Legislature. The promises we received of cost savings have fallen well short.

Part of our work this year is to go through each state agency’s budget, making minor adjustments that prioritize our investments for Washington and ensure your tax dollars are spent wisely. Aside from K-12 funding and the Health Care Authority, our state must also address its response to wildfires. There must be improvements to how our state prevents and responds to wildfires to reduce the devastating effects on communities around our state. Costs to address last year’s fire season are estimated to be $165 million. This is significant because these are resources that could have been put to better use.

Economic Sense: Who Makes our Laws?

How much in state government should be secret from the public?

I have reintroduced legislation to ensure that Washington citizens get the transparency they deserve when it comes to negotiations with the public’s money. Senate Bill 5329 would require that collective-bargaining negotiations with public employee unions be subject to Washington’s open meetings requirement. Those meetings are currently exempt from public input; however, I believe citizens in our state should have the right to see how those negotiations are conducted when it is taxpayers who are ultimately responsible for paying the bill. Click here to read more. =============

Survey Results

This past December I conducted a district-wide survey on policies that the Legislature might be addressing this year. Thank you to all who took time to respond and provide invaluable feedback on these critical legislative issues. I have posted the results of the survey on my website. Please click here to see the results and don’t forget to subscribe to my e-newsletter updates to continue receiving information about your state government.

Contact Me:

Email:John.Braun@leg.wa.gov

Olympia Office:

407 Legislative Building

PO Box 40420

Olympia, WA 98504-0420

Phone: 360.786.7504

Website: SenatorJohnBraun.org

Share my E-newsletter

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