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

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

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

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

Muzzall seeks audit, investigation into housing money corruption

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

Kreidler needs to resign, says Sen. Jeff Wilson
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
Senate majority passes ‘unconscionable’ bill that would let murderers, rapists pursue quicker release from prison

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

Sefzik FUEL Act slashes gas prices — uses $8B surplus to suspend gas tax, give working families a break
OLYMPIA – Washington would get a year-long reprieve from state fuel taxes under a bill sponsored by Sen. Simon Sefzik, R-Ferndale – worth $1.3 billion, or an average $221 for every licensed driver in the state. Senate Bill 5897 would suspend the state gas tax through the end of 2022, immediately reducing the price of... Read More
Proposal to slash in-person schooling alarming, says Braun

Republican legislators prioritize policing, public safety, and corrections in ‘Safe Washington’ Plan

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

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

Wilson says final 2021 revenue forecast supports her call for tax, inflation relief

Republican leaders release statement on the Legislature defeating Gov. Jay Inslee in the Washington Supreme Court

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

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

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

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

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

Republican leaders call for special session to fix confusing, controversial police reform bills
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
Republican leaders respond to Gov. Jay Inslee’s new vaccine mandate
OLYMPIA… At a news conference today, Gov. Jay Inslee announced a new vaccine mandate for most state employees, private health care and long-term care workers. House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox and Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement on the announcement: “Vaccinations can save lives and we have strongly encouraged people to get... Read More
Wilcox and Braun call on Democrats and governor to fix the problems created by controversial police-related bills

Republican leaders say people deserve clear answers about state of emergency
New proclamation indicates governor will maintain tighter grip at least through September OLYMPIA… With the state of emergency linked to the COVID-19 pandemic now past the 16-month mark, the state Legislature’s top Republican leaders say Gov. Jay Inslee needs to be up front with the people of Washington about how much longer he intends... Read More
Government failed Cowlitz County on methanol project, say senators
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
Braun: Inslee again violates state constitution with illegal veto

Braun reacts to governor’s veto of his COVID-related provision in racial equity analysis bill

Republican leaders say new CDC guidance supports June 15 reopening

Braun encouraged by governor’s restraint on economic restrictions

E. Washington senators oppose flurry of tax and fee hikes passed by Legislature

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

Senators call for action on emergency powers issue
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
Democrats stay with high-tax budget that will hit low-income, marginalized communities harder
OLYMPIA… The final 2021-23 operating-budget agreement made public this afternoon by the Legislature’s majority Democrats is still a step backwards for Washington’s low-income families and marginalized communities, say budget leaders in the Senate Republican Caucus. Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, and Sen. Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick, also are critical of how legislators and the public are being... Read More
Historic support for broadband in final capital budget

Legislative Republicans: Emergency power reform not about the governor – it’s about the people

No counties should be moving backward, say legislative Republican leaders

Cutoff highlights refusal to address emergency powers — one of many majority Democrat failures, say top Senate Republicans

Senate capital budget would provide unprecedented support for broadband

Senate Democrats tie budget proposal to unconstitutional tax

Wilson looking for taxpayer-friendly budget from Senate majority
Republican budget leader notes progressive property-tax reform now within reach OLYMPIA… The Senate Democratic 2021-23 operating-budget proposal is expected to become public Thursday, and Sen. Lynda Wilson says she’ll be looking for it to be at least as taxpayer-friendly as the budget Senate Republicans proposed Feb. 11. “I’m anticipating the Democratic proposal will match ours... Read More
Republican leaders say endorsement of 3-foot spacing would help classrooms reopen

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

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

Senate Republicans encouraged Washington moving ahead in reopening

Honeyford bill to extend Invasive Species Council into 2032 wins unanimous Senate approval

Senate passes Brown’s bill to create industry-siting program

Senate unanimously passes Brown’s measure to create a confidential youth-safety and well-being tip line

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

Braun to Inslee: Time to take the security fences down

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

Majority dodges vote on bipartisan bill to safely reopen Washington

Braun bill to reopen Washington receives staggering amount of public support

Legislative Republicans’ Safe Economic Restart Plan — April 17, 2020
Legislative Republicans Safe Economic Restart Plan — April 17, 2020 Read More
Sheldon survey shows deep opposition to tax increases, progressive agenda
“Taxpayers are not ATMs,” say voters in 35th Legislative District – a benchmark for the vast region beyond the King County line OLYMPIA – A survey of voters in the state’s most rural district displays deep opposition to the agenda being pushed through the Washington Legislature in the final days of the 2020 legislative session.... Read More
Sonics legend Jack Sikma honored by Senate on induction to Hall of Fame
Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Potlatch, and Jack Sikma. To see Senate resolution, click here. OLYMPIA – Jack Sikma, one of the standouts on the legendary Seattle SuperSonics team that captured the 1979 NBA title, was honored by the Washington Senate Thursday on his upcoming induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In remarks to... Read More
‘Net metering’ bill forces low-income Washingtonians to subsidize solar panels for the wealthy, senators say
OLYMPIA – A ‘net metering’ bill passed by the Senate Monday forces low-income Washington residents to subsidize rooftop solar panels for the well-to-do, senators complained. Senate Bill 5223 requires utilities to dramatically expand their purchases of power from customers with rooftop solar panels, to at least 4 percent of their load, if sufficient customers seek... Read More
Honeyford receives award for service to veterans and their families

Senators welcome House Democrats’ reengagement on Hirst

Senate capital budget would provide unprecedented support for education

Senator King tells transit agency to consider soldiers and find a fair solution

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