Sens. John Braun, Lynda Wilson make another call for action to combat inflation

CENTRALIA — Following the release of inflation data Wednesday, Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and Senate Republican budget leader Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, released a statement calling for state action.

In the statement, Braun criticized Gov. Jay Inslee for rejecting ideas he believes would help middle class families and promoting a tax credit open only to those with low incomes that won’t come into effect until 2023.

“It’s as though he doesn’t understand, or doesn’t care, how people at all levels in our state are being hit by what is now double-digit inflation,” Braun said.

Braun said the state is amassing a large amount of money and believes Democrats in the Legislature should work with Republicans to “end government greed” and give more money to families.

Wilson said she believes Democrats are “stuck” on “targeted investments,” or the providing of increased funding to state agencies, something she believes will do nothing to help Washington residents grapple with rising inflation.

In Wilson’s view, proposals by Republicans, such as a gas tax suspension, should also be viewed as targeted investments.

“With prices up more than 10 percent that’s the best investment we could make to help Washington families,” Wilson said. “Legislators need to act.”