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Washington Republican leaders push public‑safety and budget priorities ahead of cutoff
Summary
Senate and House Republican leaders said public safety, resisting new taxes and targeted K‑12 and special‑education funding are their top priorities as the Legislature approaches chamber cutoff; they highlighted a $100 million police funding proposal and criticized several Democratic bills and resolutions.
Senate and House Republican leaders used a week‑8 press availability to outline priorities as the Legislature heads into a spate of floor activity and an approaching chamber cutoff, emphasizing public safety, budget restraint and K‑12 funding.
Senate Republican leader John Braun said public safety is a central focus and pointed to a proposal he attributed to 'Senator Holy' that would send about $100,000,000 to local and tribal governments to hire additional law‑enforcement officers. "We're making progress," Braun said, noting that the measure has advanced through policy and fiscal committees and is headed toward the floor.
Braun also warned that two bills recently emerging from Ways and Means — described in the press availability as a recycling bill and a bottle bill — would add roughly $600,000,000 a year in costs for consumers. "This is a big deal when you're talking about affordability," he said.
Representative Chris Corey, the House deputy leader, framed the House's near‑term work around budget choices and said House Republicans would press for spending cuts rather than new taxes. "If the governor is willing to make tough decisions and tackle the budget crisis, he'll find a partner in getting that done appropriately with the House Republicans," Corey said.
On education, Braun highlighted smaller technical‑education bills and a larger special‑education funding bill he called necessary but potentially unaffordable this year; he also cited a measure to boost MSOC funding to help districts "keep the lights on." Braun said a constitutional amendment out of Ways and Means would restore the State Investment Board's management of long‑term care funds, which he argued could increase returns and reduce payroll tax pressure for that program if approved by voters.
The leaders repeatedly framed their priorities as defending affordability and public safety while pushing back against what they characterized as Democratic proposals to raise taxes or expand entitlements. They warned that a number of controversial measures would see spirited debate when the House and Senate return to floor action.
The press availability closed with Braun saying Republicans expect "vigorous debate" and will press their agenda as bills move to the floor in the coming days.
