 March 3, 2025Plan. Protect. Save.State government and your moneyCheck out our webpage explaining the taxes Democrats are exploring this year.Dear Friends and Neighbors,The number one duty legislators have this session is to adopt new state budgets that pay for operating, transportation and capital expenses.Democrats claim there is a deficit of between $12 billion to $15 billion in the operating budget – the largest of the three budgets, which pays for most state programs and services, including K-12 public education. Non-partisan committee staff, however, place the figure much lower: $6.7 billion over the next four years. The biggest reason for the difference between these numbers is that the Democrats include, in their number, $4 billion-plus in raises for state employees — raises that were negotiated with public-employee unions by former governor Jay Inslee long before we were made aware of a deficit.Recently, the House Democrats launched a website highlighting what they claim would result from a “no new tax” budget. This is simply fear-mongering. It would be more appropriately named the “Tax-‘Em-All-Or-Else Plan.”If you review their material, you’ll notice that they do not cut the proposed state-employee raises, which would lessen the impact of any other cuts. They don’t even mention those raises, and yet, 59% of Washingtonians do not support giving those raises if it means raising taxes.They also don’t mention that state revenue is still growing — amounting to $5 billion in growth that would also apply toward the budget.Instead, they tell you they will have to cut services to the most vulnerable. In reality, the deficit can be managed by foregoing new spending. If this new spending wasn’t needed in previous years, defunding it is not a cut. It’s a savings.Senate Republicans have offered many ideas for how to implement savings that would prevent legislators from having to increase taxes or cut existing services. Our approach is based on the following budget principles. Fully fund our public K-12 school system, with a focus on learning the basic skills of reading and math, achieving positive, objectively measurable outcomes.Prioritize services and supports for our most vulnerable residents, including children, seniors, and those in crisis.Fund essential government priorities first, align spending with available resources, maintain responsible reserve levels, and return any unspent funds to the public.Don’t let the House Democrats scare you into opening your wallet and accepting new and higher taxes and fees to pay for continuing the excessive spending that got us into a deficit in the first place. Instead, demand that the majority be more responsible with your money. The deficit is caused by their choice to over-spend, and you shouldn’t have to bail them out.Remember, 76% of Washingtonians think the Legislature already has enough money to address the most important priorities if spent effectively. It’s also telling that 65% do not trust the Legislature to spend their tax dollars wisely (Jan. 2025 poll by EMC Research.)Democrats would be wise to keep this, the views of taxpayers, in mind when finalizing the actual 2025-27 operating budget.Sincerely,Sen. John Braun Early Republican Wins Podcast: Democrats’ mileage tax called the Road Usage ChargeEven though Republicans are in the minority in the Legislature, we are often successful at stopping or modifying bad legislation before it moves forward. This already has been the case with two very unpopular bills this year.The “Initiative Killer”Senate Bill 5382 would have made signature gatherers personally liable for the validity of the addresses entered on initiative petitions by those signing the petitions. They could be fined and/or jailed if the addresses weren’t properly verified, something that is impossible for them to do. They also would have to attest, under penalty, that signors read the entire petition. This would have had a chilling effect on the citizen-initiative process, which is a constitutional right for Washingtonians. It is also an effective way for the people to hold the Legislature accountable for decisions made on their behalf.Another problem with SB 5382 is that requiring the addresses would disenfranchise those who use post office boxes, such as military personnel and people who do not have a traditional home address, such as those living in RVs, shelters and tents. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and former Secretary of State Sam Reed both gave testimony in committee opposing the bill. Among other things, they called it unnecessary. Advocates for low-income families and those experiencing homelessness also opposed it as it would shut out their input.I’m glad to see this bill die and I hope that Democrats to do not bring it back next year or sponsor any other bills to limit the initiative rights of the people.Overregulating Wood StovesSB 5174 would have overregulated wood stoves in Washington, making them too expensive for some who depend on wood heat either every day or for survival when the power goes out. Rural households, in particular, would have been harmed by this bill if it had become law. Fortunately, Republicans, with your help, were able to stop that bill in its tracks. The sponsor and the Department of Ecology decided not to pursue it this year. While that’s great news, it means we have to watch for this bill to return next year and fight it again, just as hard.Lowering sentences for sex predatorsSB 5312 would have shortened the length of time someone would remain on the sex-offender registry after being convicted of a sex crime resulting from a police sting targeting pedophiles where a fictitious victim was used. It also would have lessened the time they would have to remain under community supervision once released from prison.You’ve likely seen this kind of thing on television. A police officer poses as a young girl online and a child predator takes the opportunity to meet up with her for sex. When the predator arrives, police are waiting to make an arrest. These criminals should not have shorter sentences.In the past several years, Democrats have offered multiple bills that would shorten jail sentences, keep criminals out of jail, and even give them the chance to run for elected office from their prison cells.Republicans put the rights of victims ahead of the interests of criminals who prey on society. I will fight legislation that will make us all less safe.A week ago, we reached the deadline for bills to make it out of policy committees. Friday was the deadline for those bills that had a cost associated with them to make it out of the budget committee. Several key bills are “alive” and now wait to be brought to the Senate floor for debate, while others are considered “dead.”The following is a very brief list of where some of the most notable bills stand.Listen as I discuss the 2.6 cents per mile Democrats want to charge you for every mile you drive, plus another 10% of that total on top of that.Join me for my town hall meeting on March 25Click the image to register in advance for our town hall meeting.Speaking directly with constituents and listening to your feedback is an important part of serving as your senator. I invite you to join me and my seatmates, Rep. Peter Abbarno and Rep. Ed Orcutt, to ask us questions about the issues and proposed legislation that matter most to you this legislative session.Together, we are hosting a virtual town hall at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25. Participants need toregister in advance for the event, which will take place on Zoom. I encourage you to share this invitation with other residents of the 20th Legislative District.  Bad bill: How many murders is too many?One of the worst bills of this session is Senate Bill 5266, which allows convicted felons to petition the Indeterminate Sentencing Review Board for release at age 24 if their conviction took place before the age of 18.SB 5266 was passed out of the Ways and Means committee last week, so majority Democrats are a step closer to bringing it to the Senate floor for a vote.While those convicted of aggravated murder and some sex crimes would not be eligible, the bill would allow those who have committed fewer than three murders to apply for early release.Why would any murderers be allowed to seek early release, much less those who have committed more than one?And why that number? What makes one or two murders a reasonable threshold?SB 5266 is dangerous and irresponsible. It is yet another blow to the safety of our communities to let those who have victimized people back out into society before serving their full sentence or at all.Three of the people who testified in support of SB 5266 are convicted murderers. One of them is a former contract killer. Of course they support a bill that would let others like them out of prison.Democrat bills being heard in the Legislature this year favor criminals while disregarding the rights of victims and the safety of our communities. I will be working to defeat them. Washington deserves better.  Watch: Last week’s media availabilitySenate and House leadership talk about bad bills that are dead, as well as those that are still moving forward through the legislative process. They also respond to questions about the “sky is falling” budget offered by House Democrats.WATCHOFFICIAL SENATE REPUBLICAN PODCASTListen to the latest podcasts from the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus.WANTED: Senate Pages The Washington State Senate has one of the best page programs in the country. Pages are sponsored by the Senator from their district to work on campus for one week. During that time, they get a firsthand look at the legislative process. Legislators and staff enjoy seeing the pages’ excitement and enthusiasm on campus.Pages must be age 14-16 and have a recommendation from a teacher or principal. Learn more about the program and watch past pages talk about their experience. SenatePageProgram@leg.wa.govWatch all the action in the Legislature   You are receiving this newsletter as a constituent of the 20th Legislative District of Washington state.If you do not wish to receive this update in the future, you can unsubscribe at the link below. |