
Sen. John Braun says the Senate’s approach would save lives and needs to become law this year
OLYMPIA — The state Senate voted more than five weeks ago to make possession of hard drugs a gross misdemeanor, and improve on the Legislature’s disastrous response to the state Supreme Court’s 2021 Blake decision. The state House of Representatives just passed a version of Senate Bill 5536 that would lower the charge for possession to a misdemeanor, the same as in the state law that has been in effect since 2021.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun says the Senate’s approach would save lives and needs to become law this year. Braun, who serves the 20th Legislative District, offered this statement as the 2023 legislative session nears its final phase, when the two chambers work to settle differences between bills each has passed:
“We saw this same thing two years ago – a bipartisan majority in the Senate votes to make possession of fentanyl and other hard drugs a gross misdemeanor, and the House Democrats say no, it should only be a misdemeanor. In 2021, the Senate Democrats made a huge mistake by going along with the House. It would be an even bigger mistake if that happens again. The Senate needs to stand its ground.
“There is more than enough empirical evidence that the current law’s threat of a misdemeanor charge isn’t enough to get people into treatment. Stepping the charge up to a gross misdemeanor is not about more incarceration, it’s about more leverage to get people with substance-use disorders onto a path that could save their lives. Too many have ended up in the morgue already. It’s hard to understand how, with drug overdoses becoming the leading cause of death in our state for people younger than 60, the House Democrats can possibly cling to their extreme position as being right for the communities they serve.
“Four of the Democratic senators who didn’t support a gross misdemeanor in 2021 helped pass SB 5536 on March 3. Clearly, something changed their minds. There are some on the Republican side who, understandably, may still view the Senate’s version as not doing enough to combat the fentanyl epidemic. Either way, the House has gotten it wrong – again. The Senate needs to get it right this time, by holding firm behind the better policy we passed.”
Follow Washington State Senate Republicans on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram @WashingtonSRC.
Also read:
- Hundreds rally in Olympia against proposed tax increasesHundreds gathered in Olympia on Tax Day to protest a wide range of proposed tax hikes put forward by Democratic lawmakers in Washington state.
- Vancouver City Council urged to adopt seven changes to limit public campingClark County Matters is calling on Vancouver leaders to adopt seven ordinance changes that would limit public camping and address growing concerns about safety and livability.
- On ‘Tax Day,’ Senate Democrats propose billions more in tax increasesOn Tax Day, Washington Senate Democrats introduced new tax proposals totaling $12 billion, contrasting sharply with Senate Republicans’ no-new-taxes ‘$ave Washington’ budget proposal.
- Letter: ‘There will be consequences’Hazel Dell resident Bob Zak criticizes Democratic lawmakers for advancing ESSB 5181, arguing it undermines parental rights and defies biblical principles.
- Clark County Fire District 10 selects local firm to begin planning for replacement of the Amboy Fire StationClark County Fire District 10 has selected Aetta Architecture to begin planning a replacement for the Amboy Fire Station, first built in 1963 and no longer equipped to meet modern emergency response demands.
- Kitten finders, kitten keepers?Nomi Berger shares practical steps for what to do if you find a litter of kittens this spring, including how to assess their needs and connect with Furry Friends in Vancouver.
- PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center seeks new members for Patient & Family Advisory CouncilPeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center is seeking new members for its Patient & Family Advisory Council to help improve patient care through direct community feedback.