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Braun: Legislature has duty to reconvene Redistricting Commission

Published on September 11, 2023
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun shared the following comments on the heels of two recent court decisions saying Washington’s legislative district maps, which were created by the Washington State Redistricting Commission during the 2022 redistricting process and went into effect this year, must be redrawn for the 15th Legislative District. The judge in Soto-Palmer v.... Read More

Republican legislators ask Sec. of State, Attorney General to investigate reported incidents of intimidation

Published on July 27, 2023
July 27, 2023 Secretary of State Steve Hobbs Legislative Building 416 Sid Snyder Avenue SW Olympia, WA 98501 Attorney General Bob Ferguson 1125 Washington Street SE Olympia, WA 98504   Dear Secretary Hobbs and Attorney General Ferguson: We write with great concern about a potential threat to the integrity of the democratic process here in... Read More

Washington state becomes national leader – in overdose deaths

Published on July 25, 2023
Legislature’s two-year experiment with weak, unenforceable laws against hard drugs brings death across the state, say members of Senate Freedom Caucus OLYMPIA – Washington state has become a national leader in drug-overdose deaths, according to new figures from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, and senators say credit goes to the Washington Legislature and... Read More

Governor’s attack on oil refiners diverts attention from real cause of high gas prices, MacEwen says

Published on July 20, 2023
Inslee’s cap and trade program gives Washington the most expensive gasoline in the nation Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, Republican lead on the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, responded Thursday to a proposal from Gov. Jay Inslee targeting what he calls ‘monster profits” by oil refiners. Inslee was the prime mover behind cap and trade... Read More

Gildon seeks Legislature’s support in turning back nation’s highest gas prices

Published on July 05, 2023
Senator urges fixes to cap and trade, asks lawmakers to sign letter to Ecology Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, is seeking the Legislature’s support in an effort to mitigate damage being done by Washington’s highest-in-the-nation gas prices. It won’t take much. He says it can be done with simple rule changes at the Department of Ecology,... Read More

Hard-fought battles further top Republican priorities

Published on April 23, 2023
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement after the 2023 Washington State Legislature adjourned after a 105-day legislative session. “Republicans have a lot to be proud of this year. We were able to address each of our top priorities: public safety, affordability and education. We had some big disappointments as well, but we... Read More

Braun praises work of outgoing House Republican Leader Wilcox

Published on April 23, 2023
OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this comment following Rep. J.T. Wilcox’s announcement today that he is stepping down as House Republican leader, a position he has held since March 2018: “Representative Wilcox and I have similar experiences as legislators, from when we were elected and our budget-committee backgrounds to when we became leaders... Read More

Bill to expand standard for vehicular pursuit “simply not enough,” says Senate Republican Leader

Published on April 17, 2023
 OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun today provided the following comments after the Senate’s narrow passage of legislation that is a half-step toward letting law-enforcement officers engage in vehicular pursuits in more situations than Washington law has allowed since 2021. Senate Bill 5352 was passed with a 26-22 vote, representing the mixed feelings about the bill on... Read More

Senate Bill 5770 – the property tax increase on EVERYONE

Published on April 14, 2023
20 Senate Democrats think your property taxes are too low, so they have sponsored Senate Bill 5770. It would triple the growth rate of state and local property taxes by increasing the cap from 1% to 3%. In just six  years, it would cost taxpayers $4.1 billion. FISCAL IMPACT Read the Department of Revenue’s fiscal... Read More

Wagoner bill to recognize history, contributions of Americans of Chinese descent wins full legislative approval

Published on April 14, 2023
Sen. Keith Wagoner’s measure designating January as Americans of Chinese Descent Month in Washington has nearly reached the end of a long journey into state law.   “This is an important day and a great victory,” said Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, who has been working on the issue since 2020.   “This measure will provide our schools... Read More

STATEMENT: Republican senators say banning specific firearms won’t make Washington measurably safer

Published on April 08, 2023
OLYMPIA… All members of the Senate Republican Caucus voted against a bill passed today by majority Democrats to ban a specific group of semi-automatic firearms in Washington. The legislation, approved on a 27-21 vote, would prohibit the sale, offer of sale, manufacture, import, and distribution of modern sporting rifles, which Democrats call “assault weapons.” House... Read More

Sen. John Braun’s leadership video update — education in the Senate budgets

Published on March 24, 2023
Senate Republican Leader John Braun shares a few of the details in the Senate’s capital and operating budget proposals that with our top three priorities.   Read More

Washington State Supreme Court got it wrong, says Braun

Published on March 24, 2023
Court’s ruling ignores overwhelming evidence capital gains tax is an income tax OLYMPIA…The Washington State Supreme Court today ruled that the income tax on capital gains passed last year by Democrats in Legislature is an excise tax, contrary to overwhelming evidence that it is a graduated income tax. Graduated income taxes are unconstitutional in Washington... Read More

Republican budget leader has warning for taxpayers after Supreme Court backs capital-gains income tax

Published on March 24, 2023
OLYMPIA… Sen. Lynda Wilson of Vancouver, budget leader for Senate Republicans, offered this reaction to the state Supreme Court’s ruling today that the tax on capital-gains income adopted by Democratic legislators in 2021 is constitutional. The 7-2 decision overturns a lower-court ruling issued in March 2022 by a Douglas County Superior Court judge in the... Read More

Braun: Bipartisan Senate budget addresses ‘equity issue of our time’

Published on March 23, 2023
Provides nearly $70 million for to address students’ learning loss, additional $800 million for special education OLYMPIA…The 2023-2025 Senate operating budget proposal released today includes nearly $70 million to help Washington’s students recover from learning loss resulting from remote learning and school closures during the pandemic. It also includes an additional $800 million over the... Read More

Republican budget leaders encouraged by ‘inclusive’ Senate operating-budget proposal

Published on March 23, 2023
OLYMPIA… Key Senate Republicans say there is much to appreciate about the 2023-25 operating-budget proposed by the state Senate majority today, starting with a lack of new taxes and a much lower spending increase than in recent years – and how it responds to Republican concerns, especially regarding K-12 education. The $69.2 billion Senate proposal... Read More

Senate Republican Leader John Braun addresses what’s happening in education

Published on March 20, 2023
              Learn more about what the Legislature is working on to deal with student learning loss and the needs of special education students. Read More

Senate Republican Leader John Braun updates us on the progress of police pursuit reform

Published on March 10, 2023
Click to watch Sen. John Braun’s latest update on the 2023 Legislative Session, including the progress of police pursuit reform. Read Sen. Braun’s statement on the passage of Senate Bill 5352. Read More

Torres bill on missing and murdered Indigenous people passes Senate

Published on March 03, 2023
Today the state Senate passed Sen. Nikki Torres’ measure implementing the recommendations of the Washington state Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People task force. The bill is part of the Legislature’s efforts to identify the root causes of the shockingly large number of Native Americans who have turned up missing or murdered in Washington.... Read More

Bill threatening rights of parents passes Senate

Published on March 01, 2023
Senate Bill 5599 removes parents from health and mental health care decision-making process OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, made the following remarks after the state Senate’s majority Democrats passed legislation that would give youth-related facilities a troubling new excuse for withholding the whereabouts of runaway children from their parents. Under Senate Bill 5599, those... Read More

Sen. John Braun’s weekly leadership update – week 6

Published on February 09, 2023
  Watch: Police pursuit and drug possession remain top concerns for Senate Republicans as we try to convince Legislative Democrats to grant hearings for the bills that would remedy some of these issues. Read More

Committee passes Padden bill to keep repeat property offenders behind bars longer

Published on February 09, 2023
A bill from 4th District Sen. Mike Padden that could keep repeat property offenders behind bars longer was approved today by the Senate Law and Justice Committee. Senate Bill 5056 would require that someone who is found to be a habitual property offender to be sentenced to an additional 24 months in total confinement for... Read More

Democracy on the ballot: SB 5082 & SB 5209

Published on February 08, 2023
In Washington, voters get an opportunity to weigh in on taxes that were passed by the Legislature without their direct approval. This opportunity is called “Advisory Votes” and it is often the only time voters hear of a new tax. Since 2012, advisory votes on 38 tax increases have appeared on the ballot. But today,... Read More

Wagoner bill to recognize history, contributions of Americans of Chinese descent heads to House

Published on February 01, 2023
Today the Senate voted 48-0 to approve Sen. Keith Wagoner’s measure designating January as Americans of Chinese Descent Month.   “They say the third time’s a charm, and I hope in this case it’s true,” said Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, who has been working on the issue since 2020.   “I want to thank everyone in this... Read More

Leadership Video Update – Day 23

Published on February 01, 2023
Senate Republican Leader John Braun updates us on the progress of the 2023 Legislative Session. Unfortunately, the highlight is the lack of progress on fixing the police pursuit law. Learn more:   Read More

Common sense, accountability needed to fix bad police pursuit law

Published on January 31, 2023
OLYMPIA…There’s a data war happening in the Washington State Senate. It’s over the need for reform to the recent change in law that prevents police from pursuing a suspect unless the authorities have probable cause. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, believes we must pass legislation that improves Washington’s police-pursuit law after the results of... Read More

Communications Staff

Published on January 10, 2023

Senate Republicans elect 2023 deputy leadership

Published on January 09, 2023
Washington State Senate Republicans today elected 2023 deputy leadership. Deputy Leader                    Sen. Chris Gildon, Puyallup Caucus Vice Chair              Sen. Ron Muzzall, Oak Harbor Deputy Floor Leader         Sen. Nikki Torres, Pasco Deputy Whip                       Sen. Perry Dozier, Waitsburg Read More

Senate Republicans announce 2023 committee assignments

Published on December 07, 2022
          OLYMPIA…The Washington State Senate Republican Caucus announced its committee assignments for the senators who will serve the Legislature in 2023. 2023 Ranking Republican Committee Assignments by Member: Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks: Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade: Sen. Perry Dozier, R-Waitsburg Early Learning... Read More

Senate Republicans retain top leadership for 2023

Published on November 29, 2022
OLYMPIA…Washington Senate Republicans today reelected their top leadership team for the 2022-23 legislative term. Deputy leaders will be chosen during the first caucus of the legislative session. Leader: Sen. John Braun, Centralia Caucus Chair: Sen. Judy Warnick, Moses Lake Floor Leader: Sen. Shelly Short, Addy Whip: Sen. Keith Wagoner, Sedro-Woolley   Sen. John Braun shared... Read More

Braun: Bipartisan emergency powers reform must happen in 2023

Published on October 31, 2022
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, shared the following comments in response to the end of the state of emergency declared by Gov. Jay Inslee 975 days ago in response to the outbreak of COVID-19. “Ending the state of emergency is long overdue. Washington was under one-man rule for 975 days. With this finally behind... Read More

Shorter sentence for man convicted in brutal car crash is terrible result of war on public safety, senators say

Published on September 30, 2022
Robert Jackson was among 3,000 prisoners released in earlier Department of Corrections fiasco OLYMPIA – Resentencing of a man who got life without parole after he killed his girlfriend in a bloody 2015 car crash is a travesty that illustrates the terrible human consequences when the Legislature goes “soft on crime,” Republican senators say. Robert... Read More

Shorter sentence for man convicted in brutal car crash is terrible result of war on public safety, senators say

Published on September 30, 2022
Robert Jackson was among 3,000 prisoners released in earlier Department of Corrections fiasco OLYMPIA – Resentencing of a man who got life without parole after he killed his girlfriend in a bloody 2015 car crash is a travesty that illustrates the terrible human consequences when the Legislature goes “soft on crime,” Republican senators say. Robert... Read More

Decision on environmental policy places power back in the people’s hands, says Braun

Published on June 30, 2022
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court decision limiting the Environmental Protection Agency’s rulemaking authority. The court ruled that Congress must authorize new regulations to limit power plant emissions. “Today’s opinion is about the rule of law. It is up to Congress to authorize... Read More

Better support for pregnant women should be common goal after SCOTUS decision, says Braun

Published on June 24, 2022
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun shared comments in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization abortion case, which proposed overturning the 1973 case Roe v. Wade. “Today’s decision does not affect the law here in Washington. Even my Democrat colleagues have been quick to point out that... Read More

Why all the Democrat disinformation about suspending gas tax?

Published on June 23, 2022
For a guy who recently wanted to criminalize certain false statements, Gov. Jay Inslee certainly seems to have no qualms about spreading disinformation himself. It happened again Wednesday, after the new state revenue forecast had me and our Senate Republican budget leader repeating our call for a temporary suspension of the state gas tax. Here... Read More

8.6% inflation: Washington families need a tax break – call special session now

Published on June 10, 2022
Senate Republican budget lead asks “What are we waiting for?”   OLYMPIA…The Bureau of Labor and Statistics released May 2022 inflation data today showing Washington is suffering through an annual inflation rate of 8.6 percent, meaning real worker wage growth has failed to keep up with the current record-high inflation crippling the working and middle... Read More

Republican leader denounces threats against public officials

Published on June 08, 2022
OLYMPIA… A news report about threats received by the state secretary of health has Senate Republican Leader John Braun denouncing any threats against any public official. “It’s fair to question or criticize government’s response to the pandemic. Many of us have. But it’s completely unacceptable for anyone to threaten Secretary Shah, the state Board of... Read More

Canceling parole for murderer Timothy Pauley should not have been a tough decision, says Braun

Published on May 20, 2022
OLYMPIA…Gov. Jay Inslee released his decision today to cancel the parole granted to convicted murderer Timothy Pauley by the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, shared his reaction. “It’s a relief that the governor came to his senses and canceled the parole order for Mr. Pauley. The governor said his decision... Read More

Senate Republican Caucus joins in tribute to Slade Gorton, former U.S. senator, statesman

Published on May 05, 2022
OLYMPIA – As Washington state honored former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton yesterday with a long-delayed memorial service at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle, members of the Senate Republican Caucus in Olympia recalled his contributions to the state and on the national stage. Gorton, 92, died Aug. 19, 2020, after a six-decade career as one of... Read More

‘Unscrupulous’ leak intensifies acrimonious, passionate debate on abortion, says Braun

Published on May 03, 2022
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun shared comments in reaction to the leaked draft majority opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court’s in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization abortion case, which proposes overturning the 1973 decision known as Roe v. Wade. “This Supreme Court opinion does not change much in our state. Democrats have been... Read More

Seattle’s ‘Quality of Life Index’ aligns with Senate Republican priorities

Published on April 13, 2022
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered the following reaction to poll results released this month by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce that share insights about what registered voters in Seattle, 60% of whom identify as Democrats, think of the city’s quality of life. Since most Democratic legislators come from districts in King County, the... Read More

Muzzall seeks audit, investigation into housing money corruption

Published on March 24, 2022
OLYMPIA…  Seattle Times broke a story today about former Speaker of the House Frank Chopp personally interfering in the allocation of state housing investments, directing $2 million to a nonprofit that he started. Chopp argued that the funds weren’t being used appropriately with the King County Regional Housing Authority. With billions of state dollars having... Read More

Direct anger about crime toward Democrats’ public-safety failures, says Republican leader

Published on March 24, 2022
CENTRALIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun says Washington residents shocked by the continued wave of murders, shootings, car thefts and other lawless behavior should direct their anger and frustration toward Democrat legislators and their abject failure to reestablish public safety by supporting anti-crime legislation. “The majority Democrats did almost nothing this year to fix the... Read More

Follow Oregon’s example – end state-employee vaccine mandate, say Republican leaders

Published on March 04, 2022
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, shared the following reaction to the announcement from Oregon Gov. Kate Brown that she is rescinding her vaccine mandate for nearly 40,000 state workers. Brown is quoted in Oregon’s largest newspaper as saying “extraordinary emergency” orders are no longer necessary as “we... Read More

Kreidler needs to resign, says Sen. Jeff Wilson

Published on March 03, 2022
Reports of staff abuse are last straw, says ranking member of State Government committee OLYMPIA – Staff complaints of abusive behavior from Washington’s insurance commissioner are the latest in a series of incidents that warrant Mike Kreidler’s resignation, says Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. Staff reports allege the hot-tempered Kreidler frequently makes snide remarks and belittles... Read More

VIDEO: Sen. Keith Wagoner’s Legislative Update

Published on March 01, 2022
Sen. Keith Wagoner talks about state spending and public safety. Read More

Inslee shouldn’t assign motives to legislators who dare to question him

Published on February 28, 2022
Governor should loosen grip, trust the people, be more inclusive in pandemic decisions, says Braun   OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered the following reaction to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement and accusations during his news conference earlier today.   “No governor has exerted emergency powers during this pandemic as long as Governor Inslee. Tomorrow marks... Read More

Republican leaders: End statewide mask mandate, state of emergency today

Published on February 28, 2022
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, released the following comments upon hearing that Gov. Jay Inslee will announce that Washington’s statewide mask mandate will end March 12 – about a week earlier than planned. The governor has given no indication, however, that he plans to end the state... Read More

AUDIO: Bill to add more abortion providers goes too far, lacks accountability, says Padden

Published on February 24, 2022
More people would be able to legally perform abortions under a bill making its way through the state legislature. Tracy Ellis explains. Read More

Democrats’ budgets treat taxpayers harshly, Republican leaders say

Published on February 22, 2022
$15 billion surplus more than enough to fund meaningful tax relief   OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, expressed their deep disappointment in the Senate and House 2021-23 supplemental budgets after they were released Monday. “We’re stunned at the continuing inability or unwillingness of the Democratic majorities to... Read More

Legislative Republican leaders: Don’t wait another month to end state mask mandates

Published on February 17, 2022
OLYMPIA…Legislative Republican leaders had the following to say after Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that the statewide indoor mask mandate and the mask mandate for students in grades K-12 will end on March 21. Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm: “We stand by what we said last week: It’s time to end... Read More

Republican leaders: Democrats’ transportation plan misses mark by costing people more

Published on February 09, 2022
OLYMPIA…Legislative Republican leaders issued the following statement in response to the $16 billion transportation package released this week by majority Democrats. The plan was developed without input from Republicans.   From Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm: “The Democrats’ plan is disappointing, not so much because of what it would do but... Read More

Braun hopeful governor announces end to statewide mask mandate

Published on February 09, 2022
UPDATE: In reaction to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement today that Washington would not yet repeal its statewide indoor mask mandate, Sen. John Braun released the following response as an update to his earlier statement.   “It’s very disappointing that the governor chose only to announce an end to the outdoor mask mandate – something most... Read More

Senate majority passes ‘unconscionable’ bill that would let murderers, rapists pursue quicker release from prison

Published on February 02, 2022
OLYMPIA… Under Senate Bill 5036, passed today by the Senate’s Democratic majority,  128 offenders now serving time for aggravated murder or first-degree murder would immediately become eligible to apply for commutation of their sentences. Another 68 such offenders would be eligible to seek commutation within the next five years. An additional 321 inmates sentenced to... Read More

Only fix for problematic long-term care tax is repeal, says Braun

Published on February 01, 2022
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun introduced Senate Bill 5965, which would repeal the wildly unpopular long-term care trust program referred to as “Washington Cares.” It would also repeal the taxes employees are required to pay through payroll deductions. More than 400,000 people applied for exemptions to the plan – a number that would have been... Read More

VIDEO: KOMO: Federal and state aid for Whatcom County flood victims, featuring Sen. Simon Sefzik

Published on January 24, 2022
Historic floods mean Whatcom County residents require help from local, state, and federal governments. Sen. Sefzik sponsors a bill to provide much needed state dollars as FEMA opens aid centers. #waleg Read More

Proposal to slash in-person schooling alarming, says Braun

Published on January 17, 2022
One day a week of remote schooling without teacher contact a huge mistake OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered the following reaction upon hearing Senate Bill 5735, which would allow up to one day a week of school to be held remotely on a permanent basis, will receive a hearing Wednesday. The bill, which codifies... Read More

Tax relief critical as higher prices crush working families

Published on January 13, 2022
Tax relief critical as higher prices crush working families  Republican leaders say Inslee is wrong — tax relief is sustainable, deserved   OLYMPIA…Legislative Republican leaders released the following statement in response to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics that inflation in the United States has risen to 7%, increasing at the... Read More

Simon Sefzik named to fill Senate vacancy in 42nd District

Published on January 11, 2022
Will fill seat held by Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, who died Dec. 17 OLYMPIA – Simon Sefzik of Ferndale, who worked as an intern in Congress and was employed at the White House, has been named to replace the late Sen. Doug Ericksen in the Washington State Senate, and will assume the 42nd District Senate... Read More

Priorities for Washington

Published on January 06, 2022
Priorities for Washington: Senate Republicans announce 2022 agenda Restore public safety │ Return affordability │ Rebuild trust   OLYMPIA…The Washington State Senate Republicans announced their agenda for the 2022 Legislative Session, which begins Jan. 10. “Priorities for Washington” seeks to right the policy wrongs that have led to a more dangerous society, a higher cost... Read More

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

Published on December 22, 2021
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... Read More

Legislature’s new legal challenge to gubernatorial vetoes a united effort, says Braun

Published on December 20, 2021
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun issued the following comments regarding the decision by the Facilities and Operations Committee in the Senate and the House Executive Rules Committee to file a lawsuit against Gov. Jay Inslee for his unconstitutional partial vetoes of two bills from the 2021 legislative session. The vetoes at issue include the subsection... Read More

Sen. Jeff Wilson issues statement on passing of Sen. Doug Ericksen

Published on December 19, 2021
Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, released the following statement regarding the death of Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale. Ericksen, 52, died Friday following a month-long illness. “Doug was one of the giants of the Washington Legislature, a fearless voice for the principles he and his constituents held dear. Protection of individual rights and freedoms, preserving the people’s... Read More

STATEMENT — Senate Republican budget leader says Inslee spending plan disrespects taxpayers

Published on December 16, 2021
VANCOUVER… Sen. Lynda Wilson, Republican leader on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, offered this statement regarding the 2021-23 supplemental operating budget Gov. Jay Inslee is submitting to the state Legislature: “In the past four years the governor has backed almost two dozen tax increases that will take billions from Washington taxpayers. Those include the... Read More

Supreme Court’s acceptance of Redistricting Commission maps best solution, says Braun

Published on December 03, 2021
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun issued the following statement after the Washington State Supreme Court announced that it will accept the plan approved by the Washington State Redistricting Commission that redraws our state’s 49 legislative districts. “While the plan developed by the Redistricting Commission does not reflect exactly how we would like the legislative districts... Read More

Braun urges Supreme Court to adopt Redistricting Commission’s plan

Published on November 19, 2021
All four redistricting commissioners affirm redistricting plan agreed upon before legal deadline OLYMPIA…In light of this week’s announcement by the Washington State Redistricting Commission that the bipartisan group was unable to fully complete its task of drawing new boundaries for Washington’s 49 legislative districts, Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released this comment: “The Supreme... Read More

Braun: Inslee unfairly characterizes unvaccinated Washingtonians, ignores people’s true motives

Published on October 20, 2021
OLYMPIA…Repeatedly in recent press interviews, Gov. Jay Inslee has characterized those who have chosen not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as conspiracy theorists who believe false information about the vaccine found on the internet. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released the following remarks about the governor’s overgeneralizations. “While I encourage people to get the... Read More

Republican leaders: Today’s vaccine deadline threatens critical services, public safety

Published on October 18, 2021
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, released the following statement as thousands of people expect to lose their jobs this week thanks to Gov. Jay Inslee’s unnecessarily punitive vaccine deadline. Inslee imposed the deadline as a condition of employment for most state employees and contractors, health-care workers, those... Read More

Sen. Braun on Sen. Rivers’ move: ‘We will deeply miss her leadership’

Published on October 04, 2021
CENTRALIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this response to today’s announcement by Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, that she will step down as the 18th Legislative District’s state senator: “Having served with Senator Rivers for nine years, from a neighboring district, I know how hard she has worked for the people of the 18th... Read More

Commissioner Fain releases straightforward plan for Washington’s new congressional districts

Published on September 28, 2021
Focuses on keeping communities together within compact regions   OLYMPIA…Commissioner Joe Fain of the Washington State Redistricting Commission today released his draft plan for revisions to the state’s congressional districts based on results from the 2020 census. Fain’s plan follows a logical and easily identifiable structure rooted in the idea that the different geographical regions... Read More

Wilson’s plan for property-tax relief gets boost from latest revenue forecast

Published on September 24, 2021
VANCOUVER… Despite the ongoing pandemic, Washington state government’s third-quarter revenue forecast indicates a gain of $927 million for the current two-year budget cycle and $931 million for the 2023-25 cycle. The forecast was adopted today by the state Economic Revenue and Forecast Council. When coupled with the increase projected in this year’s second-quarter forecast, the... Read More

Bipartisan group of senators asks Inslee to suspend upcoming payroll tax, deadline for buying long-term care coverage

Published on September 24, 2021
OLYMPIA…Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center and a member of the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee, offered this statement today after a bipartisan group of senators asked Gov. Jay Inslee to suspend the payroll tax and exemption deadline connected with the state’s new long-term services and supports trust program. “However well-intentioned the long-term care act... Read More

Commissioner Joe Fain releases draft 2021 legislative redistricting plan

Published on September 21, 2021
Focuses on state’s paramount duty while promoting competitive elections   OLYMPIA…Commissioner Joe Fain of the Washington State Redistricting Commission released his draft plan Tuesday for the 2021 legislative redistricting cycle. Proposed as part of the state’s 10-year redistricting effort, Fain’s map of 49 legislative districts focuses on keeping communities together and fostering competitive elections. A... Read More

Senate report sounds alarm about effort to empty prisons, return felons to the street

Published on September 15, 2021
With goal of ‘reducing incarceration,’ governor and Legislature create new public safety risks To read report, click here. OLYMPIA – As if new restrictions on law enforcement weren’t enough, an effort by Washington lawmakers to empty prison cells and return convicted felons to the street is creating new public safety risks across the state. That’s... Read More

Intimidating, publicly shaming those with vaccine concerns is wrong path, says Braun

Published on August 18, 2021
Inslee’s vaccine mandate on K-12 could backfire, hurt students   OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement in response to the governor’s announcement requiring teachers and other K-12 education employees to get the COVID vaccine or risk losing their jobs and jeopardizing their district’s funding. “I am vaccinated and urge others to... Read More

Republican leaders call for special session to fix confusing, controversial police reform bills

Published on August 11, 2021
Democrat sponsor of legislation admits fixes are necessary OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, issued the following statement in response to continued Democrat insistence in the press that law enforcement and legislators are overreacting to controversial new laws on policing that lack clarity and endanger the public,... Read More

Wilcox and Braun call on Democrats and governor to fix the problems created by controversial police-related bills

Published on July 23, 2021
Republicans warned House Bill 1310 and House Bill 1054 would make communities less safe, offered amendments that were rejected Law enforcement, EMT, and local elected officials across the state are expressing their concerns with new police-related bills passed by Democrats this year and explaining how the legislation will jeopardize the safety of first responders, impact... Read More

Government failed Cowlitz County on methanol project, say senators

Published on June 16, 2021
OLYMPIA… The state senators representing Cowlitz County say the loss of a proposed $2.3 billion methanol plant at the Port of Kalama is another example of state government being out of touch with the needs of families and employers across the state. “The leaders at the port, the people at Northwest Innovation Works, and everyone... Read More

Republican leaders again call on Gov. Jay Inslee to fully reopen the state

Published on June 01, 2021
House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox and Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement today: “We are calling on Governor Inslee to fully reopen the state immediately. He had left the door open to a reopening before June 30, and we viewed June 15 as a more appropriate target. Now, with vaccination rates continuing... Read More

Braun: Inslee again violates state constitution with illegal veto

Published on May 17, 2021
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, offered the following remarks after Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed parts of two bills he signed today — House Bill 1091, referred to by Republicans as the High Cost Fuel Standard, and Senate Bill 5126, also known as Cap & Tax. Together the two bills set the stage for a... Read More

That’s a wrap: Republican leaders wish Legislature had listened to the people more

Published on April 25, 2021
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican leaders released the following remarks as the 2021 legislative session came to a close as it prepared for the traditional “Sine Die” adjournment.   Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia: “Throughout this session Republicans have consistently offered ideas and taken positions that come from listening to the people. It’s been disappointing to see... Read More

Senators call for action on emergency powers issue

Published on April 25, 2021
People deserve a voice in COVID lockdown decisions, Wilson says OLYMPIA – In the final hours of the 2021 legislative session, Senate Republicans are calling on majority Democrats to restore the people’s voice in COVID lockdown decisions and other public emergencies. In a letter to Senate Democratic Leader Andy Billig, Republican senators observe that if... Read More

Republican leaders say endorsement of 3-foot spacing would help classrooms reopen

Published on March 18, 2021
OLYMPIA… The state Legislature’s top Republican leaders today said a gubernatorial endorsement of 3-foot spacing for classrooms would help Washington schools comply with Gov. Jay Inslee’s March 15 emergency proclamation calling for at least a partial return to regular classroom instruction. Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox noted the possibility... Read More

Wilson encouraged by new revenue forecast, disappointed by majority’s continued push for taxes

Published on March 17, 2021
OLYMPIA… The first state-revenue forecast for 2021 indicates a surprisingly large increase of $3.3 billion for the current two-year budget cycle and $5.2 billion over the next four years. Sen. Lynda Wilson, Republican leader on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and a member of the state Economic Revenue and Forecast Council, offered this statement... Read More

Senate Republican leaders: Inslee’s school-choice approach to reopening K-12 instruction solid step toward improving youth mental health  

Published on March 12, 2021
  OLYMPIA… Leaders in the Senate Republican Caucus released the following remarks in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement today that all K-12 public schools in Washington will be required by executive order to provide safe in-person and remote learning options for students by mid-April. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia: “There is no doubt... Read More

Senate Republicans encouraged Washington moving ahead in reopening

Published on March 11, 2021
Governor’s plan for Phase 3 echoes Republican’s “Open Safe, Open Now”   OLYMPIA…Top leadership of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus offered these remarks after the governor announced today that Washington is moving forward in his phased approach to reopening the state in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 3, which begins March 22,... Read More

Senate Republicans oppose income-tax bill; Braun calls out ‘emergency clause’

Published on February 17, 2021
OLYMPIA… Last evening a majority on the Senate Ways and Means Committee voted to recommend the passage of Senate Bill 5096, which would put a 7-percent tax on income from the sale or exchange of capital assets. The proposal, which is another attempt to impose a state income tax on Washington residents, was requested by... Read More

Senate Republicans unveil budget to help state restart and recover

Published on February 11, 2021
Plan to get schools open and people back to work also doesn’t need more taxes OLYMPIA… Less than one-third of the way through the 2021 legislative session, Senate Republicans have stepped forward with a 2021-23 budget proposal aimed at restarting schools and bringing jobs back, while saving money for lower-income families. “Senate Republicans have been... Read More

Braun to Inslee: Time to take the security fences down

Published on February 04, 2021
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, sent Gov. Jay Inslee the following letter regarding the continued use of security fencing around many of the buildings on the Capitol Campus in Olympia.   February 3, 2021 Governor Jay Inslee Office of the Governor PO Box 40002 Olympia, WA 98504-0002 Dear Governor Inslee, Although the Governor’s Mansion... Read More

Let people gather in safe, regulated public places – open Washington

Published on January 28, 2021
Senator John Braun and Senator Jeff Wilson encouraged, hopeful for governor’s announcement OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, and Sen. Jeff Wilson, ranking Republican on the Senate State Government and Elections Committee, released the following remarks after reading in the media the Senate majority leader’s comments that the governor would be loosening restrictions on restaurants and... Read More

Majority dodges vote on bipartisan bill to safely reopen Washington

Published on January 27, 2021
OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered these remarks after the Senate majority avoided taking action today on Senate Bill 5114, which would immediately move all eight regions of the state to Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s latest economic restart plan: “SB 5114 is the bipartisan plan to safely reopen Washington. It received an... Read More

Braun bill to reopen Washington receives staggering amount of public support

Published on January 20, 2021
Senate Republican Leader is grateful small business workers had their voices heard OLYMPIA… Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, issued this statement after dozens of people testified this morning before the Senate State Government and Elections Committee in support of Senate Bill 5114. It would move all regions of Washington to Phase II of Gov. Jay Inslee’s... Read More

Legislative Republican leaders respond to Gov. Jay Inslee’s extension of statewide restrictions

Published on December 30, 2020
House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox and Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statements today in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s one-week extension of statewide restrictions: House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox: “I’m disappointed in the governor’s decision. State government continues to focus on how it can shut employers down instead of how it can... Read More

Republicans respond to governor’s extension of tighter restrictions on small business

Published on December 08, 2020
OLYMPIA…Senate and House Republicans released the following joint statement in response to Gov. Inslee’s announcement today that tighter restrictions on small businesses, such as restaurants and gyms, will continue until Jan. 4:   “Public health is our top concern, including the mental health of people all over Washington who are coping with the impacts of... Read More

Senate Republicans announce 2021 committee assignments

Published on December 08, 2020
Announcing the 2021 committee assignments for the members of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus: Committee assignments by committee Committee assignments by member Read More

Lawmakers renew their call for special session to address pandemic’s impact on business owners and workers

Published on December 07, 2020
More than 50 lawmakers in House and Senate sign formal request Republican leaders in the state Legislature have again called for a special session to deal with emergency issues related to public health and support for small business and their employees who are suffering from the economic impacts of Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19-related restrictions. Fifty-two... Read More

Braun, Rivers, Short, Wagoner tapped as top Senate Republican leadership

Published on December 02, 2020
OLYMPIA…Washington Senate Republicans today elected their leadership team for the 2021-22 legislative term. The caucus elected Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, as its new leader and Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, as the new caucus chair. Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, was reelected as Republican floor leader and Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, is the new Republican whip.... Read More

Relief package is a start, but no substitute for full Legislative response

Published on November 20, 2020
Senate Republicans insist Legislature call itself in for special session without further delay OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, released the following statement in response to Gov. Inslee’s announcement of $135 million in relief for job providers and families: “Today’s announcement shows the governor realizes small businesses and job providers can’t survive much longer under... Read More

State’s newspapers agree: Refusal to call a special session is a big mistake

Published on November 20, 2020
EVERY DAILY NEWSPAPER in Washington state with an editorial board has endorsed a special session, with the exceptions of the Wenatchee World, the Ellensburg Daily Record and the Olympian. (Wenatchee has run several pro-session editorials that appeared in other papers, while the Olympian has carried editorials from its fellow McClatchy paper, the News Tribune.)  ... Read More

Wilson dismayed by governor’s new restrictions related to COVID-19 situation

Published on November 17, 2020
VANCOUVER…Sen. Lynda Wilson said Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement of new restrictions on Washington employers, workers and families has her questioning whether he truly understands the depth of the economic and personal damage they will cause. Wilson, R-Vancouver, is Republican leader of the Senate committee on economic development and trade. She also served on the governor’s... Read More

Schoesler: Safety measures and restrictions more likely to be widely supported if not dictated by governor alone

Published on November 15, 2020
Senate Republicans call for emergency special session, ready for legislative action to address COVID-19 crisis   OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, released the following statement in response to Gov. Inslee’s ban on social gatherings and further restrictions on businesses: “The recent increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths is very concerning. I feel for those... Read More

New revenue forecast highlights continued threat to critical public services, need for special legislative session

Published on September 23, 2020
OLYMPIA… Six months after most of Washington’s economy was shut down due to COVID-19, the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council has received 2020’s third-quarter forecast of state-government revenues. Today’s update reduces the deficit projected in the June 2020 forecast but leaves legislators on track to still deal with a $3.9 billion deficit. Sen. John... Read More

“Washington has lost a giant” says Senate Republican Leader of former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton’s passing

Published on August 19, 2020
Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, offered these thoughts on the passing of former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton. Gorton, 92, died Wednesday at his daughter’s Clyde Hill home, following a long and storied career in Washington politics as a state representative, House Republican Leader, state attorney general, U.S. senator from Washington state and elder statesman... Read More

Calling special session now most responsible path forward

Published on June 08, 2020
Proposed across-the-board cuts are ‘blunt and crude,’ Legislature can show more care OLYMPIA…..Sen. Shelly Short, Senate Republican floor leader, R-Addy, issued the following statement in response to the announcement by the Office of Financial Management that it has proposed a 15-percent across-the-board budget cut for state agencies, as directed by the governor.     “The... Read More

“Let the people weigh in”: Senate Republicans again call for special session

Published on May 29, 2020
OLYMPIA…Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy, Senate Republican caucus , issued the following statement in response to the governor’s announcement today that the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order will end at midnight on May 31 and focus will be directed toward opening Washington’s economy county by county. “The governor’s announcement today underscores the need for a June... Read More

Senate Republicans push back results in redrafting of emergency proclamation

Published on May 19, 2020
OLYMPIA…As a result of the Senate Republicans’ refusal to extend an emergency proclamation that violated the individual’s right to due process, the proclamation has been scaled back and will be reissued by the governor. The new version of the proclamation no longer suspends statutes that require court hearings to be held within a certain amount... Read More

Senate Republican leader responds to criticism over denying extension of proclamation that limits due process

Published on May 09, 2020
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, released the following statement in response to criticism that the Senate Republican denial of the extension of Proclamation 20-45 will hurt victims of domestic violence. “Senate Republicans have always been, and will always be, champions for victims’ rights. We are extremely concerned about the 21 percent increase in domestic... Read More

Inslee four-phase plan forces many businesses to stay on path to failure

Published on May 01, 2020
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican leader Mark Schoesler released the following statement in response to Gov. Inslee’s announcement today that he is extending the order to stay home during the COVID-19 public health crisis until May 31 and will allow a 4-phase approach toward reopening Washington’s economy. Phase one of the plan, which would begin May 4, would... Read More

Mass release of convicted felons violates state constitution, Senate Republicans warn

Published on April 17, 2020
Republicans ask Inslee to rethink plan – improper release of more than 1,100 inmates makes state liable for new crimes To see a copy of this letter, click here. OLYMPIA – Senate Republicans today formally asked Gov. Jay Inslee to rethink his plan to deal with the coronavirus crisis by releasing 1,167 prison inmates onto... Read More

Republican lawmakers step up with plan for safe restart of economy

Published on April 17, 2020
OLYMPIA… Republicans in the state Senate and House of Representatives today shared the first plan for safely restarting Washington’s economy while state government’s response to the COVID-19 emergency continues. “Employers across our state are looking to government for a strategy that starts to take the brake off the economy. Republicans have come through with a... Read More

Legislative Republicans’ Safe Economic Restart Plan — April 17, 2020

Published on April 17, 2020
Legislative Republicans Safe Economic Restart Plan — April 17, 2020 Read More

Senate Republicans call for compassionate economic policies under “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” extension

Published on April 02, 2020
OLYMPIA…Senate Republicans released the following statement after Gov. Inslee announced that he is extending the “Stay Home, Stay Health” self-quarantine policy another 30 days until May 4.         Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville: “It’s critical to focus on saving lives during the COVID-19 crisis, but we also need to focus on... Read More

Caucus letter

Published on March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020   Governor Jay Inslee Office of the Governor PO BOX 40002 Olympia, WA 98504-0002   Dear Governor Inslee, During this time of crisis, it is important that we put aside minor differences and come together to work for the common good of all Washingtonians. For that reason we have made it a... Read More

Senate Republicans’ letter asks Inslee to veto sex-education bill

Published on March 12, 2020
OLYMPIA… On the final day of the 2020 legislative session, all 21 members of the Senate Republican Caucus signed a letter sent to Gov. Jay Inslee asking him to veto Senate Bill 5395, which would require comprehensive sexual health education to be taught in all grades levels in all Washington public schools.   Senators who... Read More

Senate Republicans will miss retiring Senator from 2nd Legislative District

Published on March 05, 2020
OLYMPIA – The Senate Republican Caucus issued the following response to the announcement by Sen. Randi Becker, R-Olympia, that she is retiring from the Washington State Senate when her current term expires at the end of this year. Becker will not run for reelection.   Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville: “Randi is my pal.... Read More

Schoesler: Army Corps’ rejection of Snake River dam-breaching ought to end the argument

Published on February 28, 2020
Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued the following statement Friday, after release of a long-awaited draft environmental impact statement on Snake River dam operations. The report, issued by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bonneville Power Administration rejected proposals to breach the four lower Snake River dams, saying benefits... Read More

Prolific offenders struggling with mental illness would receive help under O’ban’s CARE Act

Published on January 31, 2020
OLYMPIA…People whose severe mental illness leads them to be prolific criminal offenders and prevents them from consenting to receive treatment could soon benefit from a bill sponsored by Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-Pierce County. Senate Bill 6109 would allow courts to assign an executor to make care decisions for people whose mental illness makes them incapable... Read More

VIDEO: SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS: WE’RE WORKING FOR ALL OF WASHINGTON

Published on January 13, 2020

Senate Republicans to all of Washington: We hear you

Published on January 08, 2020
Voter frustration with high-handed response to I-976 carries over to legislative agenda  Watch our video message. OLYMPIA – Senate Republicans say they share the frustrations of Washington voters with a political establishment that has done all it can to thwart their vote last November to reduce car-tab taxes, and they are responding with an agenda... Read More

O’Ban: Early returns on I-976 send strong message to Sound Transit

Published on November 06, 2019
Car-tab relief legislation could have satisfied voters before they turned to initiative process   OLYMPIA…Sen. Steve O’Ban issued the following statement regarding the early returns on Initiative-976, which lowers car-tab fees statewide to $30. For the past three years, Sen. O’Ban, R-Pierce County, has led the effort to bring car-tab relief to the counties that... Read More

Schoesler welcomes new Senator from 10th Legislative District

Published on October 21, 2019
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, released the following statement welcoming Ron Muzzall, R- to the Senate as the new senator from the 10th Legislative District.   The 10th District includes all of Island County, as well as part of northwest Snohomish County and southwest Skagit County. The seat became available when Sen. Barbara Bailey,... Read More

Senate Republican Caucus celebrates 7th anniversary of Gov. Jay Inslee’s anti-tax pledge

Published on October 11, 2019
Governor has proposed $23 billion in new taxes since inaugural OLYMPIA – Republicans in the Washington Senate today are celebrating the 7th anniversary of Gov. Jay Inslee’s promise not to raise taxes – a campaign pledge that will live in Washington history as one of the clearest and firmest ever uttered by a political candidate.... Read More

Senate Republican leadership: Illegal veto sets dangerous precedent, must not be allowed to stand

Published on August 29, 2019
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican leadership issued the following statement in response to the lawsuit announced by the Washington State Legislature against Gov. Jay Inslee for an illegal veto of six single-sentence provisions in the state’s 2019-21 transportation budget (House Bill 1160).   The Senate Facilities & Operations Committee, along with the House Executive Rules Committee, voted unanimously... Read More

Supreme Court accepts O’Ban amicus brief in Sound Transit case

Published on August 07, 2019
OLYMPIA…The Supreme Court notified Sen. Steve O’Ban that it has accepted an amicus, or friend-of-the-court, brief filed by O’Ban and Sen. Mike Padden in a class-action lawsuit against Sound Transit.   The brief adds to the information that will be considered by the Court in Black v. Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, which contends... Read More

Seattle lawsuit part of strategy to force income tax on state, McKenna says

Published on June 26, 2019
Democratic legislators ask Court of Appeals to overrule Washington voters OLYMPIA – When majority Democrats in the state Legislature decided this wasn’t the year to push a new income tax, it didn’t mean the fight was over. The battleground just moved from the Legislature to the courts. The state Court of Appeals heard oral arguments... Read More

The mugging of the taxpayers

Published on April 10, 2019
Governor Inslee recently engaged in an amazing bit of revisionist history about his role in negotiating a reduction in tax rates for Washington’s aerospace industry. Back in November 2013 he called the agreement “great news for every Washingtonian.” Now, maybe to appeal to the far-left Sanders-Sawant crowd, he compares the negotiations to being mugged. If... Read More

Becker telemedicine bills pass House, move forward for governor’s signature

Published on April 08, 2019
OLYMPIA…Sen. Randi Becker’s fight to improve access to health care through telemedicine got a boost when the Washington State House of Representatives passed two of her bills, which means that they now go to the governor for a signature so they can become law.   Senate Bill 5386 aims to develop more consistency in training... Read More

Statement: Sen. Mark Schoesler on today’s World Trade Organization ruling regarding Washington State subsidies for Boeing

Published on March 28, 2019
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, offered the following statement in response to the ruling issued by the World Trade Organization that the tax breaks Washington State provided to Boeing unfairly benefited the company against its competitors. “The WTO previously ruled that Airbus benefited from $22 billion in illegal subsidies. Today, the WTO ruled that Boeing... Read More

Senate Republicans warn bill to move up state primary would undo 25 years of campaign finance reform

Published on February 28, 2019
Senate Bill 5270 a step backward to the dark days of campaigns sullying Legislative ethics   OLYMPIA…A bill sponsored by Senate Democrats to move the state primary election to earlier in the year reminds many at the Capitol of the dark days when campaigns and Legislative ethics were blatantly ignored, leading to scandal and sweeping... Read More

State resources illegally used for Democrat campaign training, says Schoesler

Published on February 25, 2019
Demands in letter to Democrat leader campaign group’s reservations be canceled OLYMPIA…It is illegal for state resources to be used for campaign purposes, including training, but that is what Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville says is happening at the Legislative Building in Olympia this session. Schoesler sent a letter to Sen. Democrat Leader Billig... Read More

Inslee nominee to Housing Finance Commission convicted of domestic violence

Published on February 14, 2019
Senate Democrats unanimously pass nomination out of committee despite knowing nominee lied about his record OLYMPIA…Senate Republican leadership issued the following statement in response to a unanimous vote by Senate Democrats in the Senate Housing Stability and Affordability Committee to pass Noe Castillo’s gubernatorial nomination out of committee, despite a conviction for domestic violence and... Read More

Legislature finally fixes I-940, and does it right

Published on January 30, 2019
OLYMPIA – The Washington Legislature sent its first bill of the year to the governor’s desk Wednesday, fixing a police-deadly-force initiative approved by voters last fall – and this time it did it without breaking the law. HB 1064, approved by the state House last week and by the Senate on Wednesday, clarifies the new... Read More

Schoesler and Warnick welcome appointment of Ybarra to 13th District vacancy

Published on January 15, 2019
On the first day of the 2019 legislative session, commissioners from Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln and Yakima counties appointed longtime Quincy resident Alex Ybarra to the state House of Representatives to fill a vacant seat in the delegation. Ybarra was immediately sworn in upon appointment and will join Sen. Judy Warnick and Rep. Tom Dent as... Read More

Senate Republican Caucus announces 2019 Committee Assignments

Published on December 14, 2018
The Washington State Senate Republican Caucus announces its 2019 Standing Committee assignments, which were finalized today:   2019 SRC Standing Committees List   Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks (4D/3R) Warnick* Honeyford Short   Early Learning & K-12 Education (7D/4R) Hawkins* Holy Padden Wagoner   Energy, Climate & Technology (6D/3R) Ericksen* Brown Sheldon   Environment... Read More

Robust packages of Republican ideas

Published on November 30, 2018
Way back on October 3, three of my fellow Republican senators publicly announced a package of ideas for improving how state government approaches mental-health treatment. On Wednesday, the Senate’s Democrat majority announced the creation of a policy subcommittee on behavioral health. On November 13, three of my fellow Republican senators publicly announced a package of... Read More

Senate Republicans Announce 2019 Leadership

Published on November 17, 2018
OLYMPIA…The Washington State Senate Republican Caucus announces its 2019 leadership, which it elected today:   Leader:   Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville Caucus Chair:   Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville Floor Leader:   Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy Whip:   Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center Deputy Leader:   Sen. Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick Caucus Vice Chair:   Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake Deputy Floor Leader: ... Read More

Schoesler: We must redouble our efforts to keep Amazon jobs in Washington

Published on November 13, 2018
Senate Republican leader concerned for retail leviathan’s future investment in local job growth OLYMPIA…Amazon’s announcement today of two locations – New York City and Arlington, Virginia – as the homes for new headquarters ends the long and closely watched search for its next wave of investment and employment. The decision also begins a new conversation... Read More

Students are now missing school, statewide officials absent

Published on August 30, 2018
For one week and counting top state officials have been unresponsive to a request from Sen. John Braun to help prevent school closures. On Aug. 24 the Senate Republican budget leader sent a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal requesting they take an active... Read More

Senate Republican leader concerned over ‘representation fees’ in third inquiry to Governor over changes in union dues

Published on July 13, 2018
OLYMPIA… After receiving no direct response from the Governor, Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler sent a third letter July 12, requesting clarification from Gov. Jay Inslee on how Washington plans to address changes to union dues collections. “I’m concerned that there are conversations happening behind closed doors to circumvent the Supreme Court decision, including discussions... Read More

Schoesler letter to governor sheds light on troubling union practices in wake of Janus decision

Published on July 10, 2018
OLYMPIA…In a letter delivered Monday to Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Mark Schoesler called attention to guilt and scare tactics used by a state-worker union toward a member wanting to end salary deductions for unwanted union membership. Such deductions are now illegal under last month’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Janus v. American Federation of State,... Read More

Despite welcome repeal of Seattle’s ‘head tax,’ Senate Republicans will continue fight on behalf of working families

Published on June 12, 2018
OLYMPIA…Today the Seattle City Council repealed the “head tax” it unanimously enacted less than a month ago despite widespread and deafening opposition. Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, and Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-University Place, responded to the repeal by reinforcing their determination to continue with legislation that would clearly make such a tax illegal statewide... Read More

Repeal of Seattle jobs tax makes a statewide ban simpler

Published on June 12, 2018
The rapid demise of the Seattle jobs tax doesn’t change the need for the bill I’d drafted that would clearly prohibit a tax on jobs (or a “head tax”) unless the necessary taxing authority is explicitly granted by the Legislature. My bill is still needed because the Seattle City Council’s turnaround was not due to... Read More

Schoesler says Republican senators will work to ensure Washington remains best place for aerospace

Published on June 06, 2018
OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, today offered this response to the governor’s announcement Wednesday that highlighted a study characterizing Washington as the best place in the world to build airplanes: “I’m pleased but not surprised that the study unveiled today supports my belief that our state offers many advantages for the aerospace industry,... Read More

Schoesler: Seattle City Council voted ‘yes’ on a tax it isn’t authorized to impose

Published on May 14, 2018
OLYMPIA…Sen. Mark Schoesler issued the following statement in response to the Seattle City Council passing the notorious “jobs tax” Monday despite the city having no constitutional authority to levy the tax. Schoesler, R-Ritzville, has drafted a bill that will make this clear to Seattle and any other Washington cities considering a similar move. “The Seattle... Read More

Senate leader says poll results should be ‘nail in the coffin’ for Seattle jobs tax

Published on May 03, 2018
  KING-TV survey shows landslide of opposition to controversial proposal   OLYMPIA…In a poll conducted during its Wednesday-evening broadcast, Seattle’s KING-TV asked viewers to weigh in on the controversial jobs tax proposed by the Seattle City Council. Did they side with supporters of the council’s proposal or with its biggest target – Amazon.com? The sentiment... Read More

Schoesler: Recklessly taxing large employers threatens family jobs

Published on April 13, 2018
   Seattle City Council’s “Amazon Tax” another example of its narrow-minded agenda   OLYMPIA…In the wake of this week’s political rally in Seattle in support of a new tax on large employers, Sen. Mark Schoesler, Senate Republican Leader, offered the following statement: “Jobs that large employers such as Amazon and Boeing create are critical to... Read More

Schoesler: Inslee’s signature on sweetheart deal for union is an affront to rights of home health-care workers

Published on March 27, 2018
New law robs home health-care workers, circumvents U.S. Supreme Court ruling   OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, offered the following comments Tuesday after Gov. Jay Inslee signed controversial legislation that essentially gives home health-care workers no choice but to sacrifice part of their modest income to pay dues to one of the state’s most... Read More

Schoesler: Democrat budget wastes opportunity of $2.3 billion surplus

Published on March 08, 2018
Olympia…Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, offered this comment about the 2018 supplemental operating budget, which was developed without bipartisan input and was presented to the Legislature for a vote this afternoon – on the last day of the legislative session: “I’ve been in the Legislature for 26 years and in that time, I’ve seen... Read More

The ‘Olympia Games’: Quantity doesn’t mean quality

Published on February 07, 2018
I’m not a big watcher of the winter Olympic Games, which are upon us again, but I do know that most of the events are scored or judged in terms of more points and less time elapsed. Here at the winter Olympia Games, the Senate’s new majority hopes to score points by saying it has... Read More

Families across Washington win with deal on water-rights, capital budget

Published on January 19, 2018
OLYMPIA…Marking the end of long and arduous negotiations, the Legislature today passed a bipartisan, bicameral solution to the Hirst water-rights decision, clearing the way for families to get permits to dig household wells and gain access to water. It also passed a capital budget worth more than $4 billion, including the bonds necessary to pay... Read More

Republican leader: Amazon’s HQ2 list should be a wake-up call

Published on January 18, 2018
OLYMPIA…In response to today’s announcement by Amazon.com that it has narrowed its search for a second-headquarters location to a short-list of 20 cities, Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued the following statement.   “The fact that Amazon’s finalists for HQ2 only include one West Coast city and none from Washington should be a wake-up... Read More

Senate Republican leaders offer condolences amid Amtrak tragedy in Pierce County

Published on December 18, 2017
Sen. Randi Becker, R-Pierce County, who serves as the Senate Republican Caucus Chair, and Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler offered their condolences to victims of the Amtrak train derailment. “We are praying for the victims, families and all those involved in this tragedy,” said Becker. “I am thankful for the fast, robust response from our... Read More

Sen. John Braun statement on Gov. Inslee’s 2018 supplemental budget plan

Published on December 14, 2017
Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia and the ranking Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, gave this statement after Gov. Jay Inslee unveiled his 2018 supplemental budget proposal Thursday morning.   “I’m encouraged by a few components of the governor’s budget plan. I’m glad he is finally adhering to the four-year balanced budget law in... Read More

Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler cautious about governor’s budget

Published on December 14, 2017
Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, offered this comment about Gov. Jay Inslee’s budget released today:   “While it’s promising that the governor finally proposed a budget that balances over four years, I call on him to publicly commit to veto any budget that doesn’t. “I’m glad that undoing the levy reform enacted in the... Read More

Schoesler: Here’s what to look for in tomorrow’s budget proposal from Gov. Jay Inslee

Published on December 14, 2017
Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, offered this comment about Gov. Jay Inslee’s budget proposal, expected to be released Thursday: “In a year when a single political party will control the House, the Senate and the governor’s mansion, the governor’s budget proposal will set the tone for everything that follows. The first thing to look... Read More

Senate Republican Caucus announces 2018 committee appointments

Published on November 28, 2017
 The Senate Republican Caucus today announced its appointments to the 2018 Senate committees.   “Our members are anxious to get the session started and will continue to serve everyone in Washington with dedication and integrity,” said Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.   “I’m always proud and impressed by their level of commitment when tackling... Read More

Court recognizes Legislature’s historic education investments

Published on November 15, 2017
A ruling today by the Washington State Supreme Court largely endorses the bipartisan school-funding reforms recently adopted by the Legislature in line with the 2012 McCleary ruling, according to Sen. John Braun. “Providing students with the support they need and deserve required us to solve a generational problem with a generational solution, which resulted in... Read More

Bipartisan coalition returns to roots as ‘Senate Republican Caucus’

Published on November 15, 2017
The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus today returned to being the Senate Republican Caucus, although it remains bipartisan.   Five years ago the 23-member Senate Republican Caucus and two Democrat senators joined to take the majority in the Senate. They took the Majority Coalition Caucus name to reflect the new bipartisan collaboration.   Sen. Tim Sheldon,... Read More

Schoesler confident Legislature satisfied McCleary with bipartisan plan to fully fund basic education

Published on October 24, 2017
  OLYMPIA…Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued the following statement in response to today’s Washington State Supreme Court hearing regarding the Legislature’s plan to fully fund basic education.   At question is whether or not the plan satisfies the order of the court in the McCleary decision.   “This past year, the Legislature made... Read More

Sound Transit deceived lawmakers, public on ST3, violated constitution, Senate investigation finds

Published on October 23, 2017
Read executive summary here: ST-ExecSumLtrPaddenOBan OLYMPIA – Sound Transit misled lawmakers and voters in its effort to pass a $54 billion bond issue last year, concealing truth from decision-makers and violating the state constitution in the process, a Senate investigation has concluded. The Seattle-area rail transit agency won voter approval last November for a mammoth... Read More

‘I just wanted to express myself’

Published on August 24, 2017
This must have been the week for calls from people who were transferred to my Senate office by “robo-calls”. One wave of callers seemed to be prompted by a robo-call about money for state lands and public-recreation projects. The funding is in the proposed capital budget, which should be approved soon after we agree on... Read More

Majority leader confident Legislature will reach budget deal soon

Published on June 13, 2017
Bipartisan plan to fully fund basic education expected to account for over 50 percent of spending   OLYMPIA…As the Legislature’s second special session for 2017 enters a third week, Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler today expressed optimism and confidence that lawmakers will reach a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on a new budget before the end of... Read More

Don’t be taken in by the spin – legislators are negotiating

Published on May 22, 2017
Democrat lawmakers still are trying to convince anyone within earshot that our Senate majority is boycotting negotiations toward a new operating budget. For instance, the Senate’s minority-caucus chair recently wrote that Democrats are “ready to sit down at the table.” Right after accusing our Senate majority of employing “alternative facts.” A few days earlier the... Read More

Busting the Democrats’ myth about ‘Connecting Washington’

Published on May 18, 2017
All year long Democrat lawmakers have mentioned the “Connecting Washington” transportation package of 2015 when talking about reaching major agreements this year. For the longest time that didn’t make sense. There wouldn’t have been a 2015 package if Democrats hadn’t fumbled the first try in 2013. Why keep bringing it up? Now it’s clear. Democrats... Read More

Senate passes Corrections reform bill a second time, keeps issue alive

Published on May 02, 2017
OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate passed a Department of Corrections reform bill for the second time Tuesday, assuring the issue will remain under active consideration during the Legislature’s current special session. Senate Bill 5294, prompted by last year’s early-release scandal, was one of several bills revived Tuesday as the full Senate met for the first... Read More

In first vote of the special session, Senate approves Hirst-fix legislation again

Published on May 02, 2017
Vote gives Democrat-controlled House second chance to help rural families without water  While work on education-funding reform and a new state operating budget continues during the Legislature’s special session, the Senate today took up and passed Senate Bill 5239, known as the Hirst fix, to bring needed access to water for rural households. Sponsored by... Read More

Senate approves temporary extension of local school levy rate with increased accountability

Published on March 08, 2017
The Washington State Senate today approved legislation extending a temporary increase in the maximum amount school districts can raise through property taxes for public schools and implementing reforms to provide accountability for how local levies are collected and accounted. “Washington students deserve a comprehensive solution that provides a world-class education system instead of a temporary... Read More

Senate’s minority Democrats vote down proposed income-tax ban

Published on March 07, 2017
OLYMPIA…The Democrat minority in the state Senate today voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban a tax on individual incomes. Senate Joint Resolution 8204 needed a two-thirds majority to pass – meaning 33 votes from the 49-member Senate. All 25 members of the Senate majority supported the measure, but only two members of... Read More

Senate votes unanimously for Corrections reform bill, prompted by early-release scandal

Published on March 06, 2017
OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate voted unanimously Monday for a bill that makes sweeping reforms to the Department of Corrections in the wake of last year’s early-release scandal. Senate Bill 5294, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, enacts recommendations made by the Senate Law and Justice Committee last year following a months-long investigation into... Read More

Senate votes to make 4th DUI a felony – for 6th time

Published on February 23, 2017
OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate voted 41-0 Thursday morning to make the fourth DUI a felony in Washington state, marking the sixth time the Senate has given such a measure a unanimous vote since 2015. The previous five times, House leaders have declined to bring the measure to the House floor for a vote. “Repeat... Read More

Addressing ‘unconscionable’ agency actions that threaten public safety

Published on February 16, 2017
My bill advocates stricter oversight for ‘unconscionable’ agency actions The effectiveness of court-ordered drug and alcohol counseling for those convicted of driving under the influence has been compromised by the mismanagement of complaints and the settlement process for license violations by those trusted to hold counseling providers accountable. I have responded with Senate Bill 5705,... Read More

Bill prompted by Corrections scandal set for Thursday vote in Senate committee

Published on February 13, 2017
OLYMPIA – A bill prompted by deadly prisoner releases by the state Department of Corrections is set for a vote Thursday in the Senate Law and Justice Committee, a year after the agency revealed it had turned loose some 3,000 violent and dangerous prisoners ahead of schedule. Senate Bill 5294, sponsored by committee chair Mike... Read More

Senate Majority Coalition Caucus elects 2017 senior leadership

Published on November 15, 2016
The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus today elected senior leaders for the caucus and the Washington state Senate. The MCC filled its top leadership spots with senior senators. Leadership positions carry a 2-year term and new leaders begin their duties immediately. “We’re anxious to start the 2017 legislative session. We have some big issues to tackle,... Read More

Steve O’Ban: How Washington State Accidentally Released 3,000 Prisoners Early — and How it Failed to Fix the Problem

Published on June 28, 2016
This guest column was published by The Weekly Standard Online, June 27, 2016. By Steve O’Ban, R-Pierce County In 2002, the Washington State Department of Corrections made a software programming error that wasn’t caught for a decade. Over this period, the error allowed thousands of prisoners to be released before their sentences were completed. In... Read More

Mike Padden: DOC, governor must accept responsibility for deadly prison releases

Published on June 11, 2016
This guest column was published in The Spokesman-Review, June 11, 2016. By Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley One of the most disturbing things about the deadly prison-release scandal at the Department of Corrections is the way top state officials keep telling us it wasn’t their fault. The governor’s investigators went to great lengths to blame... Read More

Randi Becker: Education funding a big, contentious topic

Published on June 08, 2016
This guest column was published in the Eatonville Dispatch, June 8, 2016. By Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville The state Legislature adjourned its 2016 session on March 29. Since that time, I’ve had a number of local school officials and constituents ask me about progress toward fully funding our public schools. I thought it might be... Read More

Mike Padden: We’re already covered — The federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 makes a state law unnecessary

Published on June 02, 2016
This guest column was published in The Inlander of Spokane, June 2, 2016. By Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley The admirable cause of civil rights is being misused by partisans in the progressive camp as a tool to bash Republicans. We saw it happen last month in the Inlander, in an opinion column headlined “Blockin’ the... Read More

Senate report on deadly prison releases blames Corrections execs, governor’s office

Published on May 25, 2016
Comprehensive legislative inquiry finds incompetence, malfeasance at highest levels OLYMPIA … A draft Senate report says top officials at the Department of Corrections and the governor’s office bear major responsibility for one the worst management failures in state-government history – the improper early release of some 3,000 of Washington’s most dangerous and violent prison inmates.... Read More

Sharon Brown: Olympia misses another chance for quicker project reviews, job creation

Published on May 13, 2016
This guest column was published in the Tri-Cities Business News, May 13, 2016. By Sen. Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick Economic growth in Washington rests, in part, on political oversight. Our state faces a number of infrastructure and trade opportunities that, if approved in a timely manner, can create more jobs and a stronger local economy.  Unfortunately, many... Read More

Pam Roach: State has much to learn from Panama Canal

Published on May 08, 2016
This guest column was published in The (Tacoma) News Tribune, May 8, 2016. By Sen. Pam Roach, R-Sumner Failure to prepare for a coming storm can lead to disaster. So can the failure of public officials to take action when an approaching crisis is at hand. We have seen proof of this in everything from... Read More

Judy Warnick: Billboards an unfair attack on farmers

Published on May 01, 2016
This guest column was published in The (Everett) Herald, May 1, 2016. By Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake Recently, billboards have popped up in Western Washington that were sponsored by a campaign called “What’s Upstream?” They were paid for with taxpayer money via a grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Their message: Agriculture is... Read More

Sharon Brown: Growing the Industry

Published on May 01, 2016
This guest column was published in Building Insight, published by the Building Industry Association of Washington, in May 2016. By Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick Small businesses are the engine of growth, and ultimately, it is small business entrepreneurs and other employers who will create the jobs Washington’s economy so desperately needs. State government also has a... Read More

Andy Hill and Joe Fain: Constitutional amendment a must for balancing state budget

Published on April 28, 2016
This guest column was published in the Seattle Times, April 28, 2016. By Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, and Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn The Legislature spent months developing a state-budget update that was projected to balance for the current spending cycle as well as the next. We did so because thinking long term puts Washington in... Read More

Rivers’ corrections-partnership bill a ‘game changer’ for law enforcement

Published on April 19, 2016
It was 2011, and Clark County detective Jason Granneman was fed up. As a law-enforcement officer he came into daily contact with individuals who were serving the remainder of their sentences in the community, instead of behind bars, sometimes for months or even years. Officially they are in “community corrections” status; however, because they are... Read More

Steve O’Ban: Getting out the truth on the DOC debacle

Published on April 09, 2016
This guest column was published in The (Tacoma) News Tribune April 9, 2016. After this column appeared, the Senate completed its investigation, revealing information about the conduct of the executive branch that was not mentioned in the governor’s report. By Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-Pierce County Action in Olympia is often scored like an athletic contest... Read More

Mark Miloscia: King County’s plan to end homelessness has failed

Published on March 14, 2016
This guest column was published in the Seattle Times, March 14, 2016.  By Sen. Mark Miloscia, R-Federal Way In 2005, as chair of the state House of Representatives’ housing committee, I passed legislation to dramatically increase spending for the homeless while requiring Washington’s counties and state government to create a plan that addressed the root... Read More

Mike Padden and Steve O’Ban: Why the Legislature needs its own investigation of Corrections case

Published on February 24, 2016
This guest column appeared in the Seattle Times, Feb. 24, 2016. After this column appeared, the Senate completed its investigation, revealing information about the conduct of the executive branch that was not mentioned in the governor’s report. By Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, and Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-Pierce County Just before Christmas, the governor’s office... Read More

Senate approves Braun bill to rein in authority of state agencies

Published on February 17, 2016
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... Read More

Schoesler: Governor’s highway changes nowhere near enough

Published on February 17, 2016
Senate leader says proposed changes to I-405 are ‘a small fix for a huge problem’ OLYMPIA…Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, released the following statement in response to today’s announcement by Gov. Jay Inslee regarding changes to traffic management on Interstate 405. The unpopular imposition of high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes on I-405 was one of... Read More

Bipartisan plan to keep charter schools open passes Senate

Published on January 20, 2016
Public charter schools would remain available to Washington students under bipartisan legislation passed today by the Washington State Senate. The plan, sponsored by Sen. Steve Litzow, directs charter school funding to come from the state’s Opportunity Pathways Account, which contains state lottery revenues not restricted to common schools. “One of the greatest challenges facing our... Read More

Linda Evans Parlette: 2016 a Year to Build on Results

Published on January 07, 2016
By Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee In a short time, we begin a legislative session in which anything can happen – more true in 2016 than in most years. The key thing to remember is that, at least on the Senate side, we will hold true to the priorities that have guided us since the... Read More

Pam Roach: Preparation can shield state’s valued assets from cyberattack

Published on January 03, 2016
This guest column was published in the Seattle Times, Jan. 3, 2016. The Legislature tackled cybersecurity during the 2016 session by passing Senate Bill 5628. The bill directs the state chief information officer to devise a process to detect and respond to cybersecurity incidents, and directs the Department of Commerce to advance the state’s leadership... Read More

Mike Padden and Dave Reichert: State needs greater justice system transparency

Published on December 28, 2015
This guest column was published in The (Tacoma) News Tribune, Dec. 28, 2015. Ultimately the Indeterminate Sentencing Review Board denied Timothy Pauley’s request for early release. The board instead noted the egregiousness of the crime, observed that Pauley’s punishment was mild by comparison with similar cases, and tacked another two decades onto his sentence. By... Read More

Tim Sheldon: Opposing Inslee’s climate proposals is a bipartisan affair

Published on October 21, 2015
This guest column was published in Crosscut, Oct. 21, 2015. In June 2016, the Inslee Administration released a new plan to impose carbon-cap regulations without a vote of the Legislature. By Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch A couple of weeks ago, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a new carbon-emissions reduction plan and declared any lawmaker who opposes... Read More

Sharon Brown and Mike Padden: Videoconferencing the next step in Washington’s participatory democracy

Published on October 04, 2015
This guest column was pubished in The (Spokane) Spokesman-Review, Oct. 4, 2015. During the 2016 legislative session, opportunities for remote testimony were expanded as the Senate added Skype capabilities to its communication apparatus. Further upgrades to switching equipment in Senate hearing rooms were installed during the interim between the 2016 and 2017 sessions. By Sen.... Read More

Schoesler named ‘Legislative Champion’ by Washington Association of Realtors

Published on September 22, 2015
Schoesler, R-Ritzville, is a co-winner of the award with Sen. Andy Hill of Redmond, the Senate majority’s budget chief. They helped lead the Legislature to adopt a new 2015-17 operating budget which is balanced without general tax increases that would have hit Main Street employers and family-level investors. Read More

Padden receives “Cultural Hero Award”

Published on September 21, 2015
Sen. Padden is awarded the Cultural Hero Award by (from left to right) Father Robert Spitzer, Camille Pauley, and Steve Lovejoy. Father Spitzer is the former president of Gonzaga University and co-founder of Healing the Culture with Camille Pauley. Steve Lovejoy is a board member of Healing the Culture. Washington State lawmaker selected for annual... Read More

Sharon Brown and Tim Sheldon: State needs better clean energy approach than Inslee’s

Published on August 13, 2015
This guest column was published in The (Tacoma) News Tribune, Aug. 13, 2015. In June 2016, the Inslee Administration released a new plan to impose carbon-cap regulations without a vote of the Legislature. By Sen. Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick, and Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch Gov. Jay Inslee is threatening, in the name of the environment, to... Read More

Don Benton: Legislature stepped up for our state’s veterans

Published on August 08, 2015
This guest column was published in The (Vancouver) Columbian, Aug. 8, 2015. As a result of Senate Bill 5974, the Legislature revisited the issue in 2016 and passed legislation (SB 6405) allowing supplemental veterans’ health insurance to be offered in the state of Washington. By Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver While education clearly owned the spotlight... Read More

A messy session with a splendid finish

Published on July 22, 2015
If ever there was a legislative session that proved Otto von Bismarck right, it is the one we just finished. Von Bismarck is the former German chancellor we always quote about legislating and sausage-making: “Laws are like sausages – it is better not to see them being made.” The session this year wasn’t a pretty... Read More

A messy session with a splendid finish

Published on July 22, 2015
This post originally appeared on the leadership blog of the Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. If ever there was a legislative session that proved Otto von Bismarck right, it is the one we just finished. Von Bismarck is the former German chancellor we always quote about legislating and sausage-making: “Laws are like sausages – it... Read More

A session that rewrote history, not always accurately

Published on July 22, 2015
I was reading the other day that this year’s Legislature raised taxes by $480 million. This was news to me and I think to just about everyone on my side of the aisle, mainly because it isn’t true. That hasn’t kept our Democratic colleagues from claiming it. The whole thing is a little odd. If... Read More

Legislature backs Padden’s bill on pretrial drug and alcohol monitoring

Published on June 30, 2015
Today the House of Representatives voted 92-6 to pass a measure sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, aimed at improving public safety by making it more practical for courts to order pretrial drug and alcohol monitoring. “There are often real-world consequences to Supreme Court decisions,” said Padden, who chairs the Senate Law and Justice Committee. “Senate... Read More

Senate passes Padden measures aimed at addressing recent Supreme Court decisions

Published on June 25, 2015
Bills would help permit pretrial drug and alcohol monitoring and give deceased victims of violent crimes a voice in sentencing hearings On Wednesday the Senate passed two measures sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, aimed at improving public safety and increasing justice for crime victims. Both bills were introduced to address recent Washington State Supreme Court... Read More

Time at long last for House to pass drunk-driving bill

Published on June 24, 2015
This post originally appeared in the leadership blog of the Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. Before we wrap up our business for the year and start thinking about the long drive home, a drunk-driving bill awaits our action in the Legislature. Something we need to do before we get behind the wheel. A series of terrible accidents in the... Read More

Time at long last for House to pass drunk-driving bill

Published on June 24, 2015
This post originally appeared in the leadership blog of the Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. Before we wrap up our business for the year and start thinking about the long drive home, a drunk-driving bill awaits our action in the Legislature. Something we need to do before we get behind the wheel. A series of terrible accidents in the... Read More

Coug nation grieves the loss of WSU President Elson Floyd

Published on June 21, 2015
Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued the following statement on the death of Washington State University President Elson Floyd: “It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of Elson Floyd this morning. As president of Washington State University, Dr. Floyd was a widely admired leader and a passionate advocate for improved... Read More

Treasurer’s tortured argument for high tuition a matter of politics

Published on June 19, 2015
We keep hearing the strangest things about our tuition plan in the state Senate – our unprecedented, first-of-its-kind proposal to roll back college tuition at Washington colleges and universities. Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and I have proposed the College Affordability Program which would cut tuition an average 25 percent, and make it a matter of... Read More

Collective bargaining shouldn’t be a secret

Published on May 27, 2015
This post originally appeared in the leadership blog of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. What would you say if you were presented with an agreement over which you had no say, was negotiated in secret and cost you millions — and the only thing you could do was turn thumbs-up or thumbs-down? Most likely what you would... Read More

Time to get over the tax-increase obsession

Published on May 27, 2015
As time runs out on our overtime session in Olympia, I think it’s a good moment to ask an important question. What on earth is keeping us here? Last week should have settled things. State economists told us we can count on another $400 million without raising taxes a dime. Now we can say for... Read More

Collective bargaining shouldn’t be a secret

Published on May 27, 2015
What would you say if you were presented with an agreement over which you had no say, was negotiated in secret and cost you millions — and the only thing you could do was turn thumbs-up or thumbs-down? Most likely what you would say would be unprintable. Unfortunately, we in the Legislature are limited to yea or nay. For the last 10... Read More

State Voting Rights Act doesn’t live up to noble name

Published on May 15, 2015
When talk turns to the Voting Rights Act, that old black-and-white news footage starts running through our minds — sit-ins, boycotts and the March on Washington. The federal law of 1965 was one of the most significant bills of the last century, fulfillment of the promise that all shall have the right to vote. And I think those powerful images... Read More

Governor signs Roger Freeman Act to help families in need

Published on May 14, 2015
Today Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 2140, which creates a law to help families struggling to pay for court-ordered services. The signing caps an effort that began during the 2014 legislative session under the leadership of the late Rep. Roger Freeman, who passed away last October. Before the bill passed this year Sens. Mark... Read More

Senate panel hears testimony on ‘Victims’ Voice Act’

Published on May 12, 2015
Today the Senate Law and Justice Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 6099, a measure to help ensure that deceased crime victims have an advocate at sentencing hearings when there is no one else to speak for them. The bill, known as the Victims’ Voice Act, is sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley and... Read More

The curse that haunts the Legislature

Published on May 08, 2015
It’s one of the facts of political life: Whenever good times return, some people want to spend as though they’re going to last forever. Happy days are here again. Turn that frown upside down! Only a gloomy fellow speaks of recession. And those of us who are grown-ups should know how silly that is. Anyone who... Read More

State Supreme Court decision underscores importance of Rivers’ Cannabis Patient Protection Act

Published on May 08, 2015
In the days and years leading up to the recent passage of Senate Bill 5052 Sen. Ann Rivers was the subject of angry emails, death threats, even a published caricature depicting her with fangs – all over what critics said was her lack of concern for medical-marijuana patients. Rivers’ Cannabis Patient Protection Act aligns the... Read More

Senate work session examines litigation concerns tied to proposed state voting rights act

Published on May 07, 2015
Today Sen. Mike Padden, chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, held a joint work session with the Senate Government Operations and Security Committee to examine concerns that a proposed state version of the Voting Rights Act could increase litigation and costs for local jurisdictions. “The proposed Washington State Voting Rights Act attempts to... Read More

Padden urges House to follow Senate lead on remote testimony

Published on April 28, 2015
Sen. Mike Padden went into the 2015 regular session with a goal of increasing the opportunities for public participation in the legislative process. An analysis of the Senate’s remote testimony pilot program shows that Padden and his colleagues in the Senate took significant steps toward achieving that goal in that chamber, and now he plans... Read More

Schoesler calls for May 15 finish to special session

Published on April 27, 2015
OLYMPIA…Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler today repeated the call to lawmakers in Olympia to end their special session by May 15. Washington lawmakers are scheduled to begin an overtime session Wednesday, but it could run 30 days – or even longer. Schoesler added that lawmakers should see a mid-May deadline for school districts to plan... Read More

Schoesler calls for May 15 finish to special session

Published on April 27, 2015
OLYMPIA…Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler today repeated the call to lawmakers in Olympia to end their special session by May 15. Washington lawmakers are scheduled to begin an overtime session Wednesday, but it could run 30 days – or even longer. Schoesler added that lawmakers should see a mid-May deadline for school districts to plan... Read More

Follow the breadcrumbs to a government shutdown

Published on April 24, 2015
Last week, when there was still a chance for us to finish our business in Olympia on time and adjourn this weekend, we were flabbergasted by an argument we heard from our Democratic colleagues in the House. As budget negotiations started, they said they should not be required to vote for a $1.5 billion tax... Read More

Follow the breadcrumbs to a government shutdown

Published on April 24, 2015
This post originally appeared on the leadership blog of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. Last week, when there was still a chance for us to finish our business in Olympia on time and adjourn this weekend, we were flabbergasted by an argument we heard from our Democratic colleagues in the House. As budget... Read More

A red pencil for the state teachers’ union

Published on April 24, 2015
The Washington Education Association, the union that represents most schoolteachers in this state, is teaching Washington a most valuable lesson this week. You can’t believe everything you hear. For the last few days a radio ad has been making the claim the Senate has voted to make classrooms more crowded and shortchange teacher salaries, at... Read More

Majority Leader: ‘Troy Kelley has damaged public trust – time to resign’

Published on April 16, 2015
OLYMPIA… Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, released this statement in reaction to the federal indictment of state Auditor Troy Kelley. “The damage has been done and it’s time for Troy Kelley to resign immediately. There is nothing he can do to restore public trust given his evasion and silence on these serious allegations. We have... Read More

Majority Leader: ‘Troy Kelley has damaged public trust – time to resign’

Published on April 16, 2015
  OLYMPIA… Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, released this statement in reaction to the federal indictment of state Auditor Troy Kelley. “The damage has been done and it’s time for Troy Kelley to resign immediately. There is nothing he can do to restore public trust given his evasion and silence on these serious allegations. We... Read More

Legislature enters final stretch of 2015 session

Published on April 15, 2015
Majority Leader: ‘Senate holds the line on last minute projects adding $128 million’ OLYMPIA… Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, released this statement as the Legislature passed an important deadline for passage of bills from opposite chambers, and entered the final phase of the 2015 session: “Today is Tax Day for thousands of Washington taxpayers. I... Read More

Will this governor cause a government shutdown?

Published on April 14, 2015
Jay Inslee dropped a bomb Thursday. Pass a tax increase, the governor told us, or he won’t sign the budget. No one is sure if he is threatening to veto the budget. Maybe he’s saying he will allow the budget to become law without his signature. Or maybe we just ought to take it as... Read More

A capital budget that builds classrooms, not state office buildings

Published on April 14, 2015
Over the weekend a news story highlighted one of the big problems the Legislature faces this year. We’re mandating all-day kindergarten and reducing class sizes in grades K-3. And if we do that, we’re going to need to build more classrooms. The story got it right, but it’s not exactly news around here. We’ve been... Read More

House approves Padden bill encouraging specialty courts

Published on April 14, 2015
Sen. Mike Padden saw his legislation to encourage the establishment of specialty, or “therapeutic,” courts move one step closer to becoming law, following a unanimous vote today in the state House of Representatives. The state Senate had given Senate Bill 5107 its unanimous support in February. “Therapeutic courts serve an important role in our judicial... Read More

AG Ferguson and Sen. Padden urge House action on felony DUI bill

Published on April 14, 2015
Today the House Public Safety Committee heard public testimony on a measure sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden that would make a fourth DUI conviction within 10 years a felony. “This bill is really about going after those repeat offenders who are putting the public at risk and even taking lives,” said Padden, who chairs the... Read More

Why I support the College Affordability Program

Published on April 13, 2015
Students say why they support the Senate Majority’s plan to reduce tuition. Read More

VIDEO: Senate honors those with Down syndrome

Published on April 13, 2015
Watch a video featuring comments from Sen. Padden and some of the Down syndrome self-advocates who attended today’s reading of Senate Resolution 8657, honoring those with Down syndrome and recognizing those individuals and organizations which advocate on their behalf. Read More

A no-new-tax Senate budget proposal points the way – again

Published on April 06, 2015
For the last year our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have been saying we can’t avoid a tax increase — a head-bobbing consensus that seems to have been taken by many as conventional wisdom. Then we came out with our budget proposal in the state Senate and showed them there is another way,... Read More

A no-new-tax Senate budget proposal points the way – again

Published on April 06, 2015
This post originally appeared on the leadership blog of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. For the last year our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have been saying we can’t avoid a tax increase — a head-bobbing consensus that seems to have been taken by many as conventional wisdom. Then we came... Read More

A bold plan to cut tuition, boost middle class families

Published on April 06, 2015
In the Senate this year we are looking to undo an historic three-decade mistake on the part of the state Legislature – its decision to allow college and university tuition to skyrocket. We are proposing an unprecedented rollback, an average tuition reduction of 25 percent over the next two years, together with a mechanism that would prevent... Read More

Former MCC Majority Leader Tom honored

Published on April 01, 2015
Today the Majority Coalition Caucus unveiled the official Majority Leader portrait in a ceremony to honor the leadership of former Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue. Current MCC Majority Leader Mark Schoesler had this to say: “It seems like just yesterday Senator Tom and I put aside our past differences to bring the Majority Coalition Caucus together to... Read More

House hearing held on Padden bill protecting private-property rights

Published on March 25, 2015
Today the Washington State House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to protect private-property owners from having their property taken by government and given to a private company for economic-development purposes. The bill also would clarify that issues of blight and economic development are not sufficient causes for eminent-domain condemnations. “Private-property... Read More

Home care union contract poses big issues

Published on March 25, 2015
This post originally appeared on the leadership blog of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. 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... Read More

Auditor needs to come clean

Published on March 24, 2015
This post originally appeared on the leadership blog of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. What do you do when the state’s top investigator finds himself under investigation? That’s the uncomfortable question before us this week as state Auditor Troy Kelley hunkers down in his office and addresses enormous public doubt by saying nothing at... Read More

Auditor needs to come clean

Published on March 24, 2015
What do you do when the state’s top investigator finds himself under investigation? That’s the uncomfortable question before us this week as state Auditor Troy Kelley hunkers down in his office and addresses enormous public doubt by saying nothing at all. Kelley has a right to remain silent, of course – as a private citizen.... Read More

Home care union contract poses big issues

Published on March 24, 2015
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. Today this successful organizing drive is creating... Read More

Padden bill tackling designer drugs heard in House committee

Published on March 23, 2015
Today the House Commerce and Gaming Committee heard public testimony on a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden that would increase fines for the sale of designer drugs, such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones and methcathinones – commonly referred to as “bath salts.” The measure would also create a civil liability under the Consumer Protection Act... Read More

House panel hears testimony on Padden bill to increase judicial independence

Published on March 18, 2015
Today the House Judiciary Committee heard public testimony on a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden aimed at increasing the independence of the state’s administrative-law judges by reducing opportunities for them to be pressured or punished by state-agency heads. “It’s so important for the public to have confidence in the administrative-law process, as well as... Read More

Will House budget play by the rules?

Published on March 18, 2015
This post originally appeared on the leadership blog of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus, Exit 105. Some things go without saying. It’s a good idea to obey traffic signals, you ought to pay your taxes, and you should always eat your vegetables. Some things here in the Legislature are just as basic. When our Democratic... Read More

Senate delivers on college-tuition cap, jobs and critical transportation reforms

Published on March 11, 2015
OLYMPIA…Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, offered this statement following today’s cutoff for voting on Senate bills, except for measures specifically tied to a new state operating budget: “The Senate continues to lead the way on this session’s most important and anticipated policy initiatives. We said we would deliver on job creation, college affordability and... Read More

Padden bill protecting private-property rights approved by Senate

Published on March 11, 2015
Today the Senate approved Senate Bill 5363, which would prohibit government’s use of its eminent-domain power for economic development. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden, passed the Senate by a vote of 30-19 and now heads to the House of Representatives for its consideration. The term “eminent domain” refers to the power to take... Read More

Distaste for debate is ominous message from House

Published on March 11, 2015
This post originally appeared in the Majority Coalition Caucus leadership blog, Exit 105. Maybe this is the sort of thought that occurs when you’ve been at the statehouse for the last 23 sessions, like I have, and you’ve seen just about everything. But over the last week the state House and Senate have been rolling... Read More

Did we hear that right?

Published on March 11, 2015
During a television interview, Gov. Jay Inslee puts the (rather questionable) cost-estimates for his carbon-reduction program in perspective: “We can do this for pennies. And our kids’ health is worth pennies.” KIRO-TV, Nov. 17, 2014. Read More

Padden measure to help neighborhoods deal with nuisances moves to House

Published on March 10, 2015
Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to help cities and towns protect their taxpayers from the cost of nuisance abatement was passed by the Senate today by a vote of 40-9 and now heads to the House of Representatives. “In January, Spokane Valley City Manager Mike Jackson and City Attorney Cary Driskell came to Olympia to meet... Read More

Senate unanimously passes Padden bill to simplify collection of forensic samples

Published on March 10, 2015
On Monday the Senate unanimously approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden aimed at making it easier for law enforcement to obtain blood samples for forensic testing in criminal investigations – especially those concerning DUI offenses. “In some jurisdictions there is up to a five-hour delay in acquiring an authorized blood sample,” said Padden,... Read More

Senate approves Padden bill to increase judicial independence

Published on March 02, 2015
Today the Senate approved a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Padden aimed at increasing the independence of the state’s administrative-law judges by limiting the ability of state-agency heads to add undue pressure or retribution during administrative hearings. “I was a district court judge for 12 years,” said Padden, who chairs the Senate Law and Justice... Read More

Senate budget committee backs Padden’s felony-DUI bill

Published on February 27, 2015
Sen. Mike Padden’s bill to make a fourth DUI conviction in 10 years a felony is one step closer to Senate passage, after receiving a “do-pass” recommendation from the Senate’s Ways and Means committee today. “We heard from the family of Russell Bartlett, a wonderful man who volunteered at hospices, who was mowed down at... Read More

Senate continues to offer better solutions and ideas to move Washington forward

Published on February 24, 2015
Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, on the cutoff for Senate committees to vote out policy bills: “We continue to offer better solutions and ideas to move Washington forward. The cutoff for policy bills shows that we’re serious about job growth, funding education as a first priority, and making sure the state lives within its... Read More

Senate continues to offer better solutions and ideas to move Washington forward

Published on February 24, 2015
“We continue to offer better solutions and ideas to move Washington forward. The cutoff for policy bills shows that we’re serious about job growth, funding education as a first priority, and making sure the state lives within its means. We’re making great progress on transportation reforms, student achievement and helping families realize the dream of... Read More

Sheldon joins Senate Rules Committee as membership is finalized

Published on January 27, 2015
OLYMPIA… State Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, will return to the Senate Rules Committee as part of a deal that finalizes the membership of the quiet-but-powerful panel. Membership of the committee will expand by three, two positions going to Democrats, Sheldon and Andy Billig of Spokane. Also joining the committee is state Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale.... Read More

Victims of revenge porn could seek civil liability under Orwall and Padden bills

Published on January 22, 2015
A couple of bills introduced in the Washington State House and Senate could give victims of revenge porn some restitution by making a person civilly liable for distributing intimate images of another intentionally and without consent. Revenge porn is the online posting of explicit images of people without their permission. The identical measures were introduced... Read More

Could a nuclear future be on the table for Washington state?

Published on December 03, 2014
By Rebecca Gourley | WNPA Olympia News Service OLYMPIA — Thirty years ago, construction was halted on the massive cooling towers on Fuller Hill at Satsop with hopes of a nuclear power future vanishing in the biggest financial boondoggle in state history, coining the phrase “WHOOPS” for the Washington Public Power Supply System. Now, the... Read More

Rivers receives 2014 Outstanding Legislator Award from WA Association of Sewer & Water Districts

Published on October 03, 2014
The Washington Association of Sewer & Water Districts has recognized Sen. Ann Rivers for her outstanding support of special purpose sewer & water districts. Rivers has been a tireless champion of the Public Works Trust Fund.  The Fund is an innovative state program that provides low cost loans to build infrastructure delivering safe drinking water... Read More

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