News from the Caucus

She worked with her parents in the fields; now she’s the first Latina state Senator from Central Washington.  

SB 5770 would triple the allowable property tax growth rate for local governments from 1% to 3%, costing taxpayers $6 billion over the next 12 years. It will raise property taxes AND it will raise rents, which renters can’t afford during Washington’s affordable housing crisis.

Higher property taxes and rents could be on the way if legislation headed to the state Senate floor eventually becomes law. Tracy Ellis reports the bill triples the allowable property tax growth rate for local governments.

OLYMPIA – A bill launching a public education campaign to prevent drug overdoses cleared the Senate Ways and Means Committee before a key deadline Monday for passage of bills in the 2024 legislative session. Other elements of the ‘Recovery Washington’ package announced by Senate Republicans did not advance, but lawmakers said growing alarm in Oregon...

A bad bill Senate Democrats sponsored last year is being given a chance this year to move forward. Senate Bill 5770 would triple the 1% cap on the growth of local property taxes, taking $6 billion more of your money over the next 12 years. It is likely to come to the Senate floor for...

Initiative 2117 would repeal the state cap-and-trade scheme known as the Climate Commitment Act enacted by Democrats. Governor Jay Inslee claimed any effect on gas prices from the policy would be ‘minimal’ or ‘pennies.’ It’s estimated that cap-and-tax has increased Washington’s gas costs by as much as 50 cents a gallon.

  OLYMPIA – A bill that would have put teeth in a state law preventing harassment of initiative signature-gatherers died Tuesday in the state Senate when Democratic leaders on the Senate State Government and Elections Committee refused to allow a vote. Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, the bill’s sponsor, calls it a clear demonstration of a...

Restores the authority of a peace officer to engage in a vehicular pursuit when there is reasonable suspicion a person has violated the law and the officer follows appropriate safety standards

Click here for a timeline of the 11 voter rejections of an income tax in Washington state.  OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, released the following statement in response to the certification of I-2111, which would enact a ban that would prohibit any level of government from imposing...

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, gives us an update on the 2024 Legislative Session. He explains a House bill that would ban the use of natural gas, a policy that could be dangerous in cold snaps. He also discusses important and costly tax bills, and the initiatives that are before the Legislature.

See press conference on TVW at the following link: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?clientID=9375922947&eventID=2024011527 OLYMPIA – Senate Republicans are calling for a stronger response to Washington’s opioid crisis with a package of bills aimed at preventing overdoses, coordinating state efforts to promote treatment and recovery, and restoring funding for multijurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces. The ‘Recovery Washington’ package...

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, 20th Legislative District, shares information about the bills and initiatives before the Washington State Legislature this legislative session. Critical items that would help undo damage done by majority Democrat policies.