April 15, 2015 |
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Tag Archives: Sen. John Braun
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.
The Senate Majority Coalition’s budget proposal makes education the top priority and delivers tax relief and college affordability to families across Washington without raising taxes. Senate budget leaders released their 2015-17 state operating budget proposal today committed to capturing savings and keeping the state’s economy moving with more investments in education.
“Our state is projected $3 billion more in revenue over the next two years without raising taxes. I have been committed to spending tax-payer 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 vulnerable,” said Braun.
Braun, R- Centralia, notes the Senate’s 2015-17 spending 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.
Braun said the Senate proposal is the best path forward compared to the House majority’s plan, which would raise state spending by 15 percent and require a $1.5 billion in tax increases.
“I believe middle class families and small businesses would be thrilled with an 8 percent increase in their income. It is disappointing to me that the House majority is saying that an 8 percent increase is not enough for the state,” said Braun.
Braun believes the people he serves in the 20th Legislative District will see the Senate budget as a better way to move the state forward: protecting taxpayers, family budgets and vital services.
“We are putting forth a strong budget that is balanced, sustainable and best of all, it doesn’t need new taxes. We aren’t making unnecessary cuts or slashing the social safety net; we are prioritizing our state’s resources to invest in education and protect the vulnerable, not grow government for special interests.”
Budget negotiators need to reach agreement no later than Sunday, April 26 for the Legislature to conclude its 105-day session on schedule.
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.
Today Sen. Barbara Bailey, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee and Sen. John Braun, deputy Senate majority leader, announced a sensible new approach for making college affordable. Senate Bill 5954, the College Affordability Program, would reduce tuition by approximately 30 percent at the University of Washington and Washington State University, the state’s public-research institutions.
By linking resident-undergraduate tuition to a percentage of the state’s average wage, depending on the type of institution, SB 5954 would continue the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus’ effort to keep college within reach of middle-class students and families. Tuition at the state’s public two- and four-year colleges was frozen for 2013-14 and 2014-15 thanks to the MCC’s budget priorities.
“College has become increasingly unaffordable for our students,” said Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. “I have been working to find a way to address the issue of skyrocketing tuition that has acted like a tax on our middle-class families and students. The College Affordability Program is a step in the right direction to begin addressing this issue.”
The College Affordability Program takes a comprehensive approach to the complexity of higher-education funding by making up for lost tuition revenue, making resident students a priority and keeping institutions’ funding levels consistent.
“Higher education is vital to our state’s economic health,” said Braun, R-Centralia. “Without affordable college options we are seeing increased student debt that will have ripple effects throughout the economy. Students are delaying major life events like starting a family or buying a home. This bill makes sense for all students and invests in higher education after years of neglect.”
OLYMPIA… Students will join chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, Sen. Barbara Bailey and Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. John Braun to unveil a new plan for higher education affordability in a news conference Thursday, Feb. 12.
Date: Thursday, Feb. 12 at 12:45 p.m.
Locations: Senate Hearing Room 2, John A. Cherberg Bldg.
Sen. John Braun’s legislation, Senate Bill 5329 that would require public employees’ union negotiations to be open to the public received a hearing in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Monday.
“It is important to have transparency and openness in government,” Braun, R- Centralia, said. “We’ve recently seen private negotiations between the governor’s office and public unions that resulted in over a half a billion dollar obligation for the taxpayers. The public deserves visibility on these negotiations.”
The Open Public Meetings Act requires that all meetings of governing bodies of public agencies, be open and accessible to the public, however, public employee collective bargaining is exempt from compliance.A meeting is generally defined as any situation where a majority of members from a governing body meet and discuss the business of that body. Braun’s proposed legislation would remove the current exemption from the act and require collective bargaining meetings to be open.
“Bargaining should not be done in secret,” Braun said. “Eliminating this exemption is a reasonable step toward increasing transparency in government and ensuring a balance between the interests of our state employees and those that pay the salaries.”
Taxpayers in Washington can face a lengthy and challenging process when disputing a tax assessment. To create a more open and fair process Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, introduced Senate Bill 5449 which would create a statewide elected Tax Appeals Division of the appeals court and eliminate the executive agency comprised of political appointees that currently hears tax appeals. The bill has bipartisan support and has already received a public hearing in the Senate before a joint meeting of the Trade and Economic Development and Law & Justice Committees.
“This bill is about fairness in the tax system,” Braun said. “The Council on State Taxation gives our state a ‘C’ grade for the appeals process. Washington is behind many other states in modernizing its tax appeals process. We need to streamline our process and create a fair and level playing field between the taxpayer and tax collector.”
Washington has a complex tax-appeals system that requires filing with different agencies depending on the type of tax. It also requires taxpayers to pay all taxes, fines, penalties and interest before seeking relief from a court.
“This legislation would not only improve the appeals process but also enhance our state’s business climate and reputation as a good place to do business. This bill sets high standards for those who will be reviewing these cases, lowers standards of evidence and has fewer steps for appellants. The result is a more transparent, simple and fair process that helps property owners and small businesses.” Braun said.
The current tax appeal agency, the Board of Tax Appeals, is comprised of gubernatorial appointees that may or may not have expertise in tax law. Under Braun’s proposed legislation, the Tax Appeal Division would consist of elected judges from each of the three divisions of the Court of Appeals. The new court would hear cases involving excise taxes, property taxes, estate taxes, and adverse rulings from a taxing authority.