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Senator John Braun speaks during Cascade Community Healthcare’s 11th annual Legislative and Governmental Forum on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Sen. John Braun: As session begins, here’s what to expect from Senate Republicans
Those of us who take to heart President Lincoln’s words that government is “of the people” appreciate being asked to offer a forecast of an upcoming session. Our constituents … more
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Commentary: All energy options should be considered by Americans
One of the most significant shifts from our recent elections is that America is headed back to an “all-of-the-above” strategy that expands our energy options rather than further … more
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John Braun
Commentary: To make the K-12 system better, stop electing a state school superintendent
Senate Republicans will go into the 2025 legislative session next month with three priorities: Work toward a safer Washington, an affordable Washington and a better future for our children. Most of … more
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John Braun
Commentary: Legislators can learn from Pierce County’s bipartisan effort on homelessness
Of all the public policy issues legislators wrestle with, the issue of chronic homelessness is easily among the most frustrating. It’s frustrating to think of all the billions of tax … more
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Sen. John Braun listens during a meeting in the Centralia High School library on Thursday, Dec. 19.
John Braun: This year’s passage of four initiatives is already making our state better
Earlier this month, the City of Federal Way released data showing crime rates overall had fallen 11% from a year ago. That’s great news for any community, especially one of the larger … more
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Commentary: New legislators face significant choices with funding shortfall
Newly elected legislators in the Washington State House of Representatives gathered in Olympia recently beginning their orientation for the upcoming 105-day session that begins Jan. 13. The biggest … more
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State Senator John Braun speaks at a legislative roundtable meeting held at the Lewis County Courthouse on Monday, Sept. 23.
John Braun: To make K-12 system better, stop electing a state school superintendent
Senate Republicans will go into the 2025 legislative session next month with three priorities: Work toward a safer Washington, an affordable Washington and a better future for our children. Most of … more
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Richard Stride
Commentary: Let your inner child run free when possible
Have you ever thought about the fact that we all have an inner child? Dr. Eric Berne, father of transactional analysis (TA), believed that our childhood experiences — how we were parented, … more
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Ed Johnstone
Commentary: Tribes must be at the table when natural resources policies are written
Tribes in western Washington have asked the state to restructure the Fish and Wildlife Commission, which is standing in the way of true co-management. The 1974 Boldt decision in U.S. v. … more
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Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.
John Braun: Legislators can learn from Pierce County’s bipartisan effort on homelessness
Of all the public policy issues legislators wrestle with, the issue of chronic homelessness is easily among the most frustrating. It’s frustrating to think of all the billions of tax … more
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Don C. Brunell
Commentary: What about our big one?
When President Biden warned FEMA does not have enough money to finish the hurricane season let alone the entire year, it was surprising. Suddenly, we discovered federal disaster relief money may be … more
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Kris Johnson
Commentary: Let’s hope Boeing labor deal marks start of a new phase of manufacturing growth
Shortly before the vote that ended the machinists’ strike against Boeing, an unprecedented group of 53 manufacturing associations and state chamber of commerce leaders from 42 states signed on … more
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Gov. Jay Inslee speaks during a press conference for a budget preview at Green Hill School in Chehalis on Monday, Nov. 25.
John Braun: Find more space for juvenile offenders, but stop putting them with adults
A lot can be said about the governor’s proposal to address overcrowding at Green Hill School in Chehalis by repurposing a vacant wing of the state prison near Aberdeen. Here’s the … more
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John Braun
Commentary: By focusing on governing, Ferguson can turn the page on Inslee-era partisanship
Two days after the general election, a Democratic member of our state’s congressional delegation publicly offered this advice to Washington’s governor-elect Bob Ferguson: “If … more
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The Capitol building in Olympia, home to the Senate and House chambers, is lit up on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
John Braun: It’s time to give thanks — and to restore our state
Our nation celebrates Thanksgiving in late November, as a nation, because of an October 1863 proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Prior to that, states celebrated on the dates of their … more
Commentary: The voters have spoken; now let’s get to work
A majority of American voters have put our nation on a more conservative path. As a conservative, I will be glad to see the changes that are coming from Montana to Florida. In contrast, a … more
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State Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia
John Braun: By focusing on governing, Ferguson can turn the page on Inslee-era partisanship
Two days after the general election, a Democratic member of our state’s congressional delegation publicly offered this advice to Washington’s governor-elect Bob Ferguson: “If … more
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Julie McDonald
Commentary: Other views of Washington state’s history should be shared without destroying existing monuments
Forty-three historical monuments erected between 1900 and 1950 tell only one side of our state’s history — the perspective of white settlers — and they cannot stand, according to … more
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Sen. John Braun listens to Jim Walsh during a public hearing on income tax at the state Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024.
John Braun: The voters have spoken; now let’s get to work
A majority of American voters have put our nation on a more conservative path. As a conservative, I will be glad to see the changes that are coming from Montana to Florida. In contrast, a … more
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Ed Johnstone
Commentary: Restoring fish passage worth the price
Fish passage restoration is not just a treaty rights issue — it benefits the entire region. No matter the expense, culvert repair is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase the … more
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