Tag Archives: Senator John Braun

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 leader says lowering tuition is fairer to students, families than subsidizing unpaid loans

CENTRALIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun says the renewed debate about the rising cost of college tuition is the one good thing about the Biden administration’s move to write off hundreds of billions of dollars in outstanding college loans.

Braun, prime sponsor of 2015’s historic College Affordability Program, offered the following comment about Washington’s history of controlling tuition costs and whether a state-level version of the Biden loan-forgiveness is possible.

“No amount of spin from President Biden and others can make this bailout fair for working people who couldn’t afford to go to college and those who already paid their own way. It also does absolutely nothing to increase access to higher education going forward.

“Students wouldn’t rack up as much debt if tuition was lower. When Republicans led the state Senate we immediately reprioritized spending to freeze in-state tuition at the state-run two- and four-year schools. Two years later we successfully proposed the first tuition cut in Washington history, and the only tuition reduction in the nation. But since one-party rule returned to Olympia our Democratic colleagues have had other priorities, and tuition is climbing again.

“This year the current majority jammed a new state-run college-loan program through, even though our state already offers nation-leading financial support to students who want to attend college. In light of the Biden administration’s move, we need to consider the possibility that Washington taxpayers will someday be forced to ‘forgive’ loans made through this state program. That would be just as unfair.

“When the Legislature’s next regular session comes around, I expect Washington families will still be facing higher prices for everything while state government sits on a mountain of cash. The next state budget needs to address the affordability crisis in our state, and Republicans will make sure that debate includes making college more affordable so students incur less debt.”

Braun bill to extend services for developmentally disabled young people receives governor’s signature

OLYMPIA… More young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will have access to “School to Work” services under legislation signed today by the governor.

In areas where students with intellectual and developmental disabilities have access to such services, they are three times more likely to be employed when they leave the public school system at age 21. Sen. John Braun, prime sponsor of Senate Bill 5790, said the new law will extend those coordinated transition services into rural areas.

“The continued bipartisan support for our most vulnerable residents – people who, through no fault of their own, need these kinds of services – was one of the bright spots of this year’s legislative session,” said Braun, R-Centralia. “The goal of this new law is to make sure clients across our state have equitable access to these critical services, no matter where they call home.”

SB 5790 received unanimous support in the Senate and House of Representatives. The 2022 legislative session ended March 10. The new law will take effect June 9.

Braun heads bipartisan call for veto of new $133 million tax

Governor will block hastily approved tax ‘if he’s consistent’, says budget leader

OLYMPIA… A bipartisan group of high-ranking state legislators today asked Gov. Jay Inslee to veto a new $133 million tax that came out of nowhere to zoom through the Legislature just before its annual session ended April 28.

“This was bad policy to start with, and the fact that it was hustled through in little more than 48 hours makes it even less defensible. That’s not how our state constitution intends for laws to be made,” said Sen. John Braun, Senate Republican budget leader.

Joining him in the veto request are Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, who heads the Senate committee on banking; Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler of Ritzville; House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox of Yelm; and Rep. Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, who is Republican leader on the House budget committee.

Inslee has until May 21 to veto House Bill 2167, which would effectively double the business-and-occupation (B&O) tax on out-of-state banks; otherwise it becomes law and takes effect July 28.

In their veto-request letter the lawmakers detail how the policy in HB 2167 wasn’t made public until the final Friday afternoon of the 2019 session, yet was through the Democrat-controlled Legislature and on its way to Inslee just two days later. Along the way it bypassed both the Senate and House committees that address policies concerning banks.

They also cite Inslee’s veto of a 2017 manufacturing tax-fairness bill that had moved rapidly through the Legislature. In his veto message the governor wrote that the “tax reductions should be considered in a thoughtful, transparent process that incorporates public input and business accountability.”

“If he’s consistent, the governor will veto this tax increase for the same reason. And in doing so he’ll also protect the taxpayers from any chance of a lawsuit on the grounds that this tax is in violation of the U.S. constitution,” said Braun, R-Centralia.

“It’s as though the majority simply wanted more money to spend and said ‘let’s go after the big banks’ without giving any consideration to the legislative process envisioned by the state constitution.”

Improving career opportunities for Washington students

Sen. John Braun was presented with the Legislator of the Year for Career and Technical Education award today by the Washington Business Alliance for his work to support career opportunities and skills training in the new state budget. Braun, who serves as chief budget writer in the Senate, fought for additional investments to better prepare students for an increasingly competitive workforce.

“With each passing year, today’s students and tomorrow’s employees face more diverse and competitive demands. In order to be prepared to earn good jobs, students must have the appropriate skills, whether that be through vocational training, apprenticeships, or four-year college,” said Braun, R-Centralia. “Not every student has the same career path just as the job market is not one-size-fits all. This should be reflected in how we support and prepare students.”

As part of the award presentation, local students, teachers, employers, and school district officials gathered to learn more and discuss the importance of providing multiple pathways to employment, including career and technical training.

The new state budget increases investments for career and technical education by more than $200 million over the next four years. Braun was the architect of the Senate budget proposal and served on both the education and overall budget negotiating teams.

“The business community is grateful to Senator Braun for recognizing the need for a talent pipeline to the technically skilled positions industry currently struggles to fill, which are vitally important to growing our Washington economy,” said Jene      Jones, education policy advisor to the Washington Business Alliance. “Senator Braun’s leadership led to landmark investments for career and technical education students statewide, and we congratulate and thank him for the lasting impact of his work.”

Career and Technical Education Washington promotes and supports middle and high school programs that provide 21st century academic and technical skills for students. Through CTE, students have the opportunity to explore career options, especially in high-demand and high-growth fields. They are encouraged to identify career goals and can take classes at skills centers and community and technical colleges that apply math, science, and other academic subjects in a real-life, hands-on way. They can also pursue a registered apprenticeship, industry certifications, and two- and four-year college options.

The new 2017-19 budget, sponsored by Braun, was approved at the end of the 2017 legislative session and went into effect on July 1st.

 

20th District legislators to host telephone town hall

Sen. John Braun, and Rep. Ed Orcutt, invite residents of the 20th District to join them for a live telephone town hall Thursday, January 14. The live, hour-long event begins at 6:00 p.m.

The community conversation is much like an interactive radio program, during which listeners may ask questions or just listen to the conversation about issues that affect their district and state.

“This is a great opportunity to connect with constituents during the legislative session and gain valuable insights into issues that matter most to them,” said Braun, R-Centralia.

Participants will have the opportunity to simply listen in to the conversation, or speak directly with their elected officials. Legislators will also ask residents to take part in instant-result poll questions with their phones.

“I look forward to engaging with the citizens of our district,” said Orcutt, R-Kalama. “This is a great opportunity for us to hear your ideas to improve how state government works for you.”

No RSVP is required to join the event, and members of the media are also encouraged to listen in to the call.

To join the call, residents can dial toll-free (360) 302-3005 on the night of the event and follow the prompts to join the conversation.

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

Forest land management more efficient now that Braun bill signed into law

Forest land management more efficient now that Braun bill signed into law

OLYMPIA… Today the governor signed Senate Bill 6180 into law which changes how counties administer forest land and open space timber programs. This legislation authorizes counties to merge programs for more efficient and cost effective administration. Both programs are forestry related and the legislation will remove duplicative accounting while maintaining levels of tax revenue.

“The state should be doing everything it can to let communities plan and manage their forestry programs. This legislation is a simple fix to burdensome land management practices and allows counties to better manage their forestry programs without negatively impacting residents,” said Braun.

Lewis County Assessor Dianne Dorey noted the benefits to her county should commissioners choose to participate. “This bill will save time for us. We don’t know the direct savings yet as the Board of County Commissioners will decide whether or not we participate. If we do, we will be able to manage parcels with more efficiency by not having to dually assess property values and have property owner’s transfer between programs.   Lewis County has 1/5 of the acreage that is currently in the Open Space Timber program in Washington State.  Property owners will not have to deal with the cost and time of transferring between programs when their land falls below 20 acres.”

The bill places no requirements on counties to adopt changes; rather it lets them opt in. The bill also reduces the minimum size for land to be designated forest land from 20 acres to five.

 

 

 

20th District schools see more money from timber in supplemental budget

Recent budget negotiations by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia have resulted in restoration of revenues to rural districts from forestry activities on federal lands. Local school districts would receive more than $350 thousand dollars under this legislation. Both House and Senate passed the measure today that partially eliminates reductions in basic education funding for low-income districts.

“It is past the time that we restored funding to our rural schools. This bill along with funding in the supplemental operating budget lets our resources go back into our community,” said Braun.

The proposed funding fluctuates yearly depending on forestry activities and is now dependent on federal action to reauthorize distribution of those funds. Currently, 21 percent of Washington is designated as national forests which are exempt from property tax. Rural districts have relied on timber sales and revenues from logging on federal land but the state retains authority in how those funds are allocated.

“We’ve been able to put funding back into the schools and communities that need it most. Our work on this year’s supplemental budget prioritizes education and this is another way we can direct money back where it is needed.”

Braun’s companion bill signed by governor boosting tourism in the state

Sen. John Braun introduced Senate Bill 6195 this session that would create a task force to study how the state can better market the state’s tourism industry. Tourism is the fourth largest export industry in the state and accounts for more than 150,000 jobs. Today the governor signed the House companion to Braun’s bill that directs the Washington Tourism Alliance to identify sustainable private funding sources for the state’s tourism marketing needs.

In 2011 the Washington State Tourism Commission was defunded due to budgetary constraints. The commission’s purpose was to find ways to expand tourism in the state with public and private stakeholders. Since the commission was defunded, Washington became the only state in the nation without a state-funded tourism office.

“We need to expand and promote the tourism opportunities in our state because they are such an important part of our economy. However, when identifying what government should do, I think we can look to the private sector to step up and find a sustainable solution for marketing our state’s tourism industry,” said Braun.

“The tourism industry applauds Sen. Braun for his leadership on the legislation.  He recognized that this industry is a critical part of the economy in all parts of the state and that we need to have a statewide program to market our tourism assets.  Because of this legislation we will be able to develop a plan for a statewide tourism marketing program,” said Cheryl Kilday, president of the Washington Tourism Alliance board of directors.