News from the Caucus

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...

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...

$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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...