Leadership Blog

In the News

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senator frustrated about bureaucratic delay of school earthquake protections

Published on October 08, 2024
Tens-of-millions of dollars set aside to protect schools from earthquakes is not getting spent, and state Senator Judy Warnick wants something done about it. The Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is supposed to be distributing the money.
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AUDIO: Police pursuit, parental rights, income tax laws go into effect

Published on June 04, 2024
New laws that go into effect this week (June 6) impact police pursuits, parental rights, and income taxes in Washington. Tracy Ellis reports.
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Infant fentanyl overdoses warrant felony charges, says Braun

Published on April 26, 2024
CENTRALIA…Three infants in the Everett area overdosed on fentanyl over four days this week, including a 13-month-old who died. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, shared the following reaction to these preventable tragedies. “It’s completely indefensible when an infant or child gets sick or dies because someone in the household is using deadly drugs such...
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VIDEO: TVW: 2024 Impact Sine Die Special – Sen. John Braun

Published on March 07, 2024
On the final day of the 2024 Legislative Session, Mike McClanahan, host of The Impact, interviews Sen. John Braun.
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VIDEO: TVW: 2024 Impact Sine Die Special – Sen Lynda Wilson

Published on March 07, 2024
On the final day of the 2024 Legislative Session, Mike McClanahan, host of The Impact, interviews Sen. Lynda Wilson.
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News from the Caucus

May 16, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Legislature passes ‘workable’ drug-possession compromise

OLYMPIA…The Washington State Legislature passed a compromise bill on the possession of hard drugs such as fentanyl today during a one-day special session. Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary provided the following comments in response: “This bill isn’t perfect, but it is a strong step in the right direction and...
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May 10, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Joint statement: Braun and Stokesbary comment on end to Inslee’s vaccine mandate

Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that he will rescind requirements related to COVID-19 vaccination for state employees. House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary and Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement in response to the governor’s directive: “Just as Governor Inslee was slow to end his COVID state of emergency, he’s been equally behind the times...
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May 05, 2023
Nikki Torres

Torres bill to expand farm-internship program signed into law

Thanks to a measure sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, more young people will soon be on their way to becoming the next generation of Washington farmers. Senate Bill 5156, which was signed by the governor on Thursday in a ceremony at the Capitol, expands the state’s successful farm-internship program statewide and also makes the program...
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May 02, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: Republican leader cautious about drug-law ‘special’ session

CENTRALIA… State lawmakers have been called into a special session to continue work toward a new state law on the possession of controlled substances, after failing to come to an agreement before the regular legislative session ended April 23. Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this comment following Gov. Jay Inslee’s proclamation that the Legislature...
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April 28, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Failure to reform drug-possession law rests squarely with House Democrats, says Republican leader

A bill to increase the penalty for hard drug-possession failed in the House of Representatives in the final hours of the legislative session. No Republicans voted for the bill and legislative Democrats say that surprised them. Senate Republican Leader John Braun doesn’t understand how that’s possible.
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April 23, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Hard-fought battles further top Republican priorities

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...
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April 23, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Braun praises work of outgoing House Republican Leader Wilcox

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...
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April 21, 2023
Mark Schoesler

Schoesler says Democrats’ passage of anti-firearm bills won’t deter criminals

State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued this statement after Democratic majorities in the Legislature passed House Bill 1240, which would ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons in Washington, and House Bill 1143, which would prohibit someone from buying a firearm from a dealer unless the buyer has passed a background check and has completed a...
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April 17, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

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

 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...
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April 14, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Bill 5770 – the property tax increase on EVERYONE

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...
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April 14, 2023
Keith Wagoner

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

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...
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April 12, 2023
Lynda Wilson

STATEMENT: Republican leaders call foul on Democrats’ late-session bid to raise property taxes

OLYMPIA… In what amounts to the ninth inning of the 2023 legislative session, more than two-thirds of the state Senate’s majority Democrats have slid an extreme tax-increase proposal into the lineup of bills still in play. Senate Bill 5770 would raise the limit on increases in state and local property taxes to 3% per year,...
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