February 20, 2022
Read More...
State Government
Update on police reform and bills I’m sponsoring this session
February 14, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors, We have just passed the halfway point of the 2022 legislative session and this week marks the “House of Origin Cutoff”, meaning all Senate bills that are policy-related and not budget related, must be passed off the chamber floor in order to still be considered “alive”... Read More...
Session priorities: The Tax Relief and Reform Act of 2022
January 24, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors, As we end week two of this year’s 60-day session, I wanted to update you on some of the roles I will be filling this year. I will continue to serve as Republican Floor Leader, which allows me to work with members of the Senate on... Read More...
Senate ag leaders say COVID vaccine mandate for 4-H volunteers serious blow to program
September 08, 2021
More and more people tangentially connected with state government are finding out that they are subject to Gov. Jay Inslee’s recently announced vaccine mandate – even 4-H volunteers. In a letter sent to volunteers, the Washington State University Extension, which oversees the 4-H youth agricultural program, wrote that 4-H volunteer... Read More...
Sen. Shelly Short: Tremendous losses trivialized as Inslee spikes the COVID football
July 13, 2021
Special to The Spokesman Review and The Statesman Examiner Over the last 16 months, each one of us has suffered through the endless chaos and uncertainty of COVID-19 and the seemingly endless monarchical restrictions that have affected every facet of our lives. Quite frankly, putting what I’m thinking into words... Read More...
That’s a wrap: Republican leaders wish Legislature had listened to the people more
April 25, 2021
Senate Republican leaders released the following remarks as the 2021 legislative session came to a close as it prepared for the traditional “Sine Die” adjournment. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia: “Throughout this session Republicans have consistently offered ideas and taken positions that come from listening to the people.... Read More...
Capital gains income tax update & new recommendations for reopening schools
March 26, 2021
Dear Friends and Neighbors To say that the last few weeks have been intense and demanding is an understatement. Floor action for the Senate and the House during this point in session is always an all-encompassing time that combines long hours, minute focus on the bills before us for consideration... Read More...
Republican budget proposal – we don’t need to raise your taxes
February 22, 2021
Dear Friends and Neighbors We have reached the point in the legislative session where we are busy with floor action – passing bills out of the Senate Chamber and moving them along in the legislative process over to the House of Representatives. As floor leader, I spend many hours in... Read More...