Tag Archives: Sen. Braun

Braun rejects pay increase until budget work is finished

Teacher strikes, education funding, and legislator pay. These three issues have grabbed headlines recently as the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials considered increasing legislator pay by 11 percent while legislators are focused on completing budget negotiations. The independent commission voted Wednesday to enact that pay increase despite protests from Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia.

“When the commission began discussing legislator pay raises at the beginning of 2015, I was adamant this is not the time to have that discussion,” said Braun. “I continue to believe that. We need to focus on the real priority of funding education and finishing the new state operating budget.”

Braun, a lead budget negotiator for the Senate majority, has been working to build a sustainable budget that prioritizes state spending on education while remaining within available revenue – which is projected to be $3 billion more for 2015-17 compared to the two-year budget cycle that ends June 30.

“I sent a letter to the commission outlining my opposition to the proposed pay raise. I disagree with its decision to adopt an 11 percent increase and I won’t be accepting any pay raise until we finish work on the state’s budget and put education first,” he said.

The governor called a special legislative session April 29 to finish work on the state’s $38 billion operating budget, a task that Braun says “should have been completed in the 105-day regular session, as we passed a complete, no-new-taxes budget.” The special session is scheduled to end no later than May 28.

Click here to read Braun’s letter to the commission, dated May 6.

My letter to the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials

May 6, 2015

To the Washington Citizens’ Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials:

As you may be aware, this has been a tough budget year. Both parties in the House and Senate are working to create a balanced budget that prioritizes our state’s spending.

Part of that prioritization is investing in our state employees. Although the two houses have some philosophical differences to what extent state employee pay will increase, we must be mindful of the importance our commitment to state employees plays in our budget negotiations.

Our main priority is funding education. We’ve worked vigorously to reverse trends that have put general government growth ahead of the state’s paramount duty for 30 years. This means that the budget does not allow for large pay increases for public employees, and that should include state legislators.

Now is not the time for the Commission to increase our pay by 11 percent. Collective bargaining agreements negotiated by the Governor and the proposal in the Senate provide more realistic guidelines for providing pay increases. If the Commission wants to consider increasing legislator pay, it should be more reflective of what other state employees would receive.

A recent report by the National Conference of State Legislatures notes that in the past 12 months only nine states have increased legislator salaries. Additionally, raises in other states were more reflective of cost of living increases. For example, Oregon, whose legislator pay is tied to the consumer price index, increased legislator pay by only $336.

In light of our current budget situation and national trends around this issue, I urge the Commission’s reconsideration of their proposed increase in legislator pay. I understand that we want to attract good candidates to public office and pay is a component of that; however, this is not the time to give legislators an 11 percent raise.

Best regards,

Senator John Braun

20th Legislative District

Tuition-cap bill approved by Senate

College affordability one step closer for Washington Families

Senators Mark Schoesler, John Braun, and Barbara Bailey meet with students, April 8, 2015.

The Senate Majority’s College Affordability Program, Senate Bill 5954 passed with bipartisan support but surprising opposition from half of Senate Democrats. The bill, sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor would reduce tuition by as much as 30 percent at state-run research institutions and cap tuition to a percentage of the state’s average income.

“I have been making this case since we introduced this bill, college access and affordability should be a priority for our state again,” Braun said. “We’ve had years of underinvestment in higher education and the results are bad for our economy. Our state faces significant challenges, but this is a long-term policy solution that middle-class families in our state deserve.”

Higher Education and the rising cost of tuition have been a focal points since the inception of the Senate Majority Coalition. The Coalition lead the charge on freezing college tuition for two consecutive years, something that had not been done in nearly three decades. Opposition democrats would not support reducing tuition without a dedicated funding source similar to the attempted $170 million tax hike they proposed during the committee process. The Majority Coalition made it clear that higher education should be a budget priority and that this policy can be implemented without new taxes.

“Making higher education affordable for all our state’s students is a win for everyone,” Bailey said. “I’ve been working to ensure that our students have access to an affordable and quality post-secondary education. The tuition freeze was great but we need a real paradigm shift in what college affordability means for students. By passing this bill we are sending a message that students are a top priority by making college affordable in our state.”

Budget countdown continues: Senate budget no reason for teacher’s to strike

April 23, 2015

3 days left: Senate budget no reason for teachers to strikeSen. John Braun, R-Centralia notes that the end of the 2015 regular legislative session is fast approaching. Braun continues the countdown, highlighting the need to complete budget negotiations by April 26 and offered this statement:

“The Senate’s no new taxes budget puts kids first. It represents a fundamental shift in prioritizing state spending. The Seattle Times Editorial Board notes the Legislature’s focus on education is cause for celebration, instead of striking, calling our commitment to funding education ‘a massive, meaningful investment.’

Here are the facts:

$2.7 billion biennial increase from $15.3 billion to $18 billion
- $1.3 billion toward meeting McCleary obligations
  - This includes $740 million for Maintenance, supplies, and operating costs, $350 million for K-3 class size reduction, and $190 million for all day kindergarten
- $230 million for K-12 salary increases
- $210 million to pay for higher state pension costs, primarily due to longer employee life spans
- Remainder is funding increases for higher enrollment, inflation, and increased costs for items such as levy equalization

8% increase in state appropriations versus under 6% growth for non-education portions of state budget; the largest percentage growth for K-12 in 25 years

K-12 will comprise over 47% of the state budget, which is the highest share in over 30 years

The Senate budget is no reason to strike when you look at the facts of how it prioritizes education spending.

There are only 3 days left in the 2015 legislative session and House Democrats are calling it quits before we meet our statutory deadline on April 26. They have failed to bring their proposed tax increases to a vote for their budget proposal that won’t balance without the increase of $1.5 billion in new taxes.

This is unfortunate because delaying a budget means significant hardships for schools, teachers and students across the state. We continue to wait for the House to come to the negotiating table with a complete budget, not just a wish list. No special session will fix that issue but it is necessary so that we can negotiate in good faith and do the job that the people of Washington expect.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your state senator.

John Braun,

20th District 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:

www.SenatorJohnBraun.com

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Sen. Braun’s E-newsletter – April 20, 2015

April 20, 2015

Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent telephone town-hall meeting. We had record participation this year of over 1,900, and we discussed a wide range of issues. Your input is invaluable as I work to represent you here in Olympia. The constituents who called into the town hall were very clear that with $3 billion more in revenue than expected, state government should live within its means and spending decisions should be prioritized.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your state senator.

John Braun,

20th District Senator

students

Senate approves no-new-taxes budget that prioritizes education

The Senate passed a no-new-taxes budget that puts education first. Our state is projected to have $3 billion more in revenue over the next two years, so I do not believe we need to raise taxes. I am committed to spending taxpayer resources effectively and responsibly. The additional $3 billion is more than enough to meet our constitutional requirements to fund education and continue to provide essential services that protect the most vulnerable.

The Senate’s proposal invests an additional $1.3 billion toward basic education, cuts college tuition by 25 percent, and adds over $70 million for mental-health services, all without raising taxes on working families and small businesses.

With $3 billion more in projected revenue, I believe that we can meet the needs of state government and live within our means. You can visit here for more information on the Senate’s budget proposal.

Our Senate majority is committed to fiscal responsibility. Our budget prioritizes investing in education, protecting the vulnerable and providing tax relief to small businesses and families. Recent opinion polls suggest that voters in our state favor funding priorities of government such as education within existing revenue, and I agree. The Senate’s budget is balanced, makes wise use of your tax dollars by investing in education and includes no new taxes.

Once the House of Representatives approves a complete budget – which I will explain next – we will begin negotiations on a final budget. The good news is that our priorities are very similar but we have a lot of work to do to agree on how we fund those priorities.

House budget increases spending by 15 percent, requires huge tax increase

The House of Representatives approved the spending part of its budget proposal more than two weeks ago. It would increase state spending by 15 percent – or $5.2 billion – and rely on $1.5 billion in tax increases to balance. However, those tax increases, which include a volatile new capital-gains tax and an increase of taxes on small businesses, have yet to receive a vote even at the committee level.

Until the House majority approves the tax hikes needed to offset all that additional spending, its budget is only half-baked. Our Senate majority has approved a complete budget which is easier to do when you hold the line on taxes, as we do. The House must do the same before negotiations toward a final budget may begin. With the regular legislative session scheduled to end in a few short days on Sunday, April 26, the House’s delay in putting a proper budget on the table is already putting the Legislature at risk of going into a costly overtime session.

I cannot emphasize enough that state government is projected to bring in $3 billion more in revenue as a result of economic growth. The last thing the state should do is ask citizens to pay more taxes.

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:

www.SenatorJohnBraun.com

Home-care union contract poses big issues

Fifteen years ago, home-care workers and others like them were the last great frontier for public-employee-union organizing efforts nationwide. They didn’t look like state employees, they didn’t work like state employees, but they collected state paychecks and there were a lot of them. That made them a target…

Click here to read the rest of this article.

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6 days left: Budget countdown continues

April 20, 2015

6 days left:

Budget countdown continues

I am continuing the countdown to the end of the 2015 legislative session, highlighting the need to complete budget negotiations by April 26.

Today is the 99th day of the 105-day legislative session. There are only 6 days left for the House Democrats to bring their proposed tax increases to a vote for their budget proposal that won’t balance without $1.5 billion in new taxes. The Senate passed a complete, no-new taxes budget. We have been ready and waiting for 24 days for the House to come to the negotiating table with a complete budget, not just a spending plan.

Successful leaders do not write checks that they are not prepared to cover and it appears House Democrats won’t vote to pass their own tax proposals. We encourage them to drop their needless push for more revenue and support a sustainable budget which meets the needs of our state without new taxes. That’s how we can finish the people’s business on time and on budget.”

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your state senator.

John Braun,

20th District 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:

www.SenatorJohnBraun.com

Click Here to Sign up for my E-Newsletter

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Day 94: Budget countdown continues

April 15, 2015

Day 94: Budget countdown continues

I am beginning the countdown to the end of the 2015 legislative session, highlighting the need to complete budget negotiations by April 26.

Today is the 94th day of the 105-day legislative session, the 19th day since House Democrats rolled out a budget proposal that won’t balance without $1.5 billion in new taxes, and the 13th day that House leaders have failed to bring their proposed tax increases to a vote. Successful leaders do not write checks that they are not prepared to cover.

The Senate passed a complete, no-new taxes budget, but it appears House Democrats don’t have the votes to pass their own tax proposals. We welcome them to drop their needless push for more revenue and support a sustainable budget which meets the needs of our state without new taxes. That’s how we can finish the people’s business on time and on budget.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your state senator.

John Braun,

20th District Senator

Committee Assignments

This year, in addition to serving on the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications committee, I am serving as vice-chair of three committees: Trade and Economic Development, Commerce and Labor and Ways and Means. I also have the honor of serving as the Senate Deputy Majority Leader.

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:

www.SenatorJohnBraun.com

Click Here to Sign up for my E-Newsletter

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Senate tuition-cut proposal good for families and GET program

After Sen. John Braun introduced legislation to cut tuition at state colleges and universities some questions arose regarding the bill’s effects on Washington State’s Guaranteed Education Tuition program. Opponents of the proposal have erroneously stated the measure would reduce the value of credits already purchased through the state GET program.

“I understand the concerns that have been raised but a close read of the bill puts those concerns to rest,” said Braun, R-Centralia. “The language is very clear that this legislation holds the value of GET for those who have already invested. The concept is similar to a stock split so that the reduction in tuition doesn’t adversely affect current GET holders. Our proposal holds these people harmless and is a long-term policy solution that ends the days of skyrocketing tuition.”

As a result of the tuition freeze instigated by the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus during the 2013-15 school years, the GET program went from an unfunded liability in the hundreds of millions of dollars to maintaining a significant surplus of over $160 million. Under the most recent Senate proposal to cut tuition by an average of 25 percent, the GET program will go from currently 106 percent funded to over 130 percent funded – a significant turnaround from a few short years ago, when there was talk in Olympia of doing away with the program.

“The bottom line is that this proposal is good for families that have purchased GET credits and the program as a whole,” said Braun. “Students and families will get more value under our proposal and it will mean more affordability for all students trying to pay for college.”

GET is a state-run 529 prepaid college-tuition plan which ‘is guaranteed to keep pace with tuition and state-mandated fees at Washington’s highest priced public university,’ according to the program’s website.

Braun, Orcutt holding telephone town hall March 24

Contact: Laudan Espinoza, Senior Information Officer – (360) 786-7504 – Sen. Braun

20th District legislators Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, will hold an hour-long telephone town hall on Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. The phone number for the telephone town hall is (360) 302-3005.

During the call, participants can ask questions, vote in surveys or simply listen in on the latest news from the state legislature.

For more information about Sen. Braun, visit: www.senatorjohnbraun.com.