News

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

VIDEO: Senate Republican Leadership Update Jan. 25, 2023

Published on January 25, 2023
Senate Republican Leader John Braun from the 20th legislative district gives an update on Republican priorities for the 2023 session and where the real work lies. Read More

Senate panel advances Wagoner bill to recognize history, contributions of Americans of Chinese descent

Published on January 13, 2023
Click here to watch the full hearing on SB 5000. Today the Senate State Government and Elections Committee voted unanimously to advance Sen. Keith Wagoner’s measure designating January as Americans of Chinese Descent Month. “Recognizing the history and contributions of Americans of Chinese descent has been and will continue to be very important to me,”... 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Published on January 05, 2022
Washington state House and Senate Republicans today unveiled their common-sense solutions to the public safety crisis ravaging communities and destroying lives across the state. “During the last legislative session, the majority dropped the ball on public safety,” said Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, ranking member of the Senate Law and Justice Committee. “Democrats removed critical... 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

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

Published on November 19, 2021
VANCOUVER… Today the state Economic Revenue and Forecast Council adopted this year’s final quarterly forecast of state-government revenue, which shows an increase of $898 million for the current two-year budget cycle and $965 million for the 2023-25 cycle. Sen. Lynda Wilson, who serves on the ERFC as Republican leader on the Senate Ways and Means... Read More

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

Published on November 10, 2021
House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox and Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement on the Legislature’s win over Gov. Jay Inslee in the Washington Supreme Court today: “The Legislature knew Governor Inslee overstepped his constitutional authority by vetoing single lines of the transportation budget in 2019. The four caucuses agreed to bring legal action against the governor on... 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

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

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

Republican leaders respond to Gov. Jay Inslee’s new vaccine mandate

Published on August 09, 2021
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

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

Republican leaders say people deserve clear answers about state of emergency

Published on July 01, 2021
  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

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

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

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

Published on May 14, 2021
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, offered the following remarks after Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed his amendment to Senate Bill 5405. The bill, sponsored by Democrat Sen. Bob Hasegawa, mandates a racial equity analysis by the nonpartisan Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC). Braun’s amendment, which was accepted by the Senate in a 47-2... Read More

Republican leaders say new CDC guidance supports June 15 reopening

Published on May 13, 2021
OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican J.T. Wilcox offered this statement today after the governor announced many of his COVID-19 economic restrictions will be lifted by the end of June. “Earlier this week members of all four legislative caucuses encouraged Governor Inslee to share the vision of his counterparts in California and... Read More

Braun encouraged by governor’s restraint on economic restrictions

Published on May 04, 2021
OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this statement today after Gov. Jay Inslee announced all Washington counties will remain under their current economic-restart restrictions for two weeks, temporarily ending the threat of a rollback in more than a dozen counties. “I’m very pleased Governor Inslee eventually recognized the restrictions on in-person instruction were counterproductive... 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

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

Published on April 21, 2021
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, offered the following statement in response to an interview Gov. Jay Inslee gave criticizing the efforts of legislative Republicans to advance bills this session addressing the reform of the governor’s emergency powers. During the interview, the governor claimed Republicans’ true motive for... Read More

No counties should be moving backward, say legislative Republican leaders

Published on April 12, 2021
OLYMPIA…Legislative Republican leaders released the following statement after learning that three counties will be forced to move backward to Phase 2 in the governor’s reopening plan. Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, expressed their frustration with the governor’s decision and the Democrat majorities’ inaction on executive powers reform. “The communities of Cowlitz,... Read More

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

Published on April 12, 2021
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican leaders released the following remarks after Sunday’s legislative deadline for bills that passed in their house origin to be considered by the opposite chamber. Bills that did not pass in both chambers by Sunday’s cutoff are considered ‘dead’ except for those considered necessary to implement the budget, such as the income tax proposed... 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

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

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

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

Published on March 16, 2017
Before he adjourned a recent working session of the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. King urged Sound Transit officials to consider the impact their car tab tax valuations were having on soldiers.  Sen. King related how soldiers had come to him and described struggling to make ends meet.  He said they told him that they didn’t... 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
Clear-headed thinking with insight into the key issues of the 2023 legislative session, the leadership blog of the Senate Republican Caucus. + View Blog