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Senators
Senate Republicans spent Saturday of Easter weekend fighting against billions of dollars in new and higher taxes proposed by Senate Democrats.
Over four years, these tax bills cost taxpayers…
SB 5813: $1 billion to $1.5 billion
SB 5814: $4.6 billion in state taxes, $2.7 in local taxes
SB 5794: $600 million
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Democrat Taxes, Taxes, and more Taxes and Rent Control
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News from the Caucus
AUDIO: Rent Control Showdown: Democrats Push for Caps as Republicans Warn of Economic Risks
Sen. Keith Goehner delivers a speech on the Senate floor with Sen. John Braun observing intently Rent control legislation, decried by Republicans for potentially shrinking housing supply and raising rents, continues to advance in the state legislature. Tracy Ellis explains.
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NEWSFLASH: No word on the budget, but plenty of taxes to go around
Silence: Still no word on budget negotiations How much will the 2025-27 operating budget increase state spending and taxes? How much will the 2025-27 operating budget increase state spending and taxes? That’s a good question. We’re not sure yet what the full scope of the budget and its taxes will be because...
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AUDIO: Senator Nikki Torres Discusses Tax Hikes and Education on KVI Radio
Senator Nikki Torres joins Ari Hoffman on KVI Radio to critique proposed school levy increases that are framed as funding for schools. She points out that wealthier districts would benefit more from these levies, while poorer districts might struggle to raise funds or gain voter approval.
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Governor signs Braun bill expanding technical education to 6th graders
OLYMPIA…A bill sponsored by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, to expand exploratory career and technical education (CTE) to sixth-grade students was signed today by Gov. Bob Ferguson. It will become law 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. Currently, K-12 education funding provides exploratory CTE to students beginning in seventh grade. Exploratory CTE introduces students to a...
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AUDIO: Senator Braun Talks Taxes, Trucks, and Tesla with Lars Larson
On the Lars Larson Show, Sen. John Braun blasts Washington’s scaled-back wealth tax as a legal setup and warns electric truck rules could cripple transport. He questions taxing Tesla’s success and calls for market-based policies—not mandates—from Olympia.
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AUDIO: Democrat legislators still on track for supporting property-tax hikes
The proposed property tax increase hike from State Legislative Democrats is off the table, but concerns remain over a plan to raise the school levy cap. Tracy Ellis reports.
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News from the Senators
Republican budget leaders see showdown ahead as Senate Democrats approve trio of major tax increases
OLYMPIA… The state Senate’s majority Democrats today moved Washington closer to the largest set of tax increases in state history, sending the first wave of this year’s Democrat tax hikes to Gov. Bob Ferguson. The three major tax bills receiving final legislative approval from majority Democrats are: a sales-tax increase that will hit lower- and...
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Boehnke blasts majority party’s triple-tax package: ‘Wrong direction for Washington’
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… In a stark rebuke of the majority party’s latest tax agenda, Sen. Matt Boehnke today issued a statement following the Senate’s passage of three major tax bills—Senate Bill 5813, Senate Bill 5814, and Senate Bill 5794—all of which impose new or expanded tax burdens on Washington residents...
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Senate Democrats approve first wave of massive tax hikes; an ‘expensive day for the taxpayers,’ say Republican budget leaders
OLYMPIA… Today the Senate majority approved a sales-tax increase that will hit lower- and middle-income families harder, a tax increase that will drive capital out of Washington, and a collection of unrelated tax increases that includes a new tax on self-storage rentals. Sen. Chris Gildon of Puyallup, Senate Republican budget leader, offered this reaction to...
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ALERT: New tax blitz coming against working families and job creators
Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… On Tax Day, as Washingtonians paid their federal income taxes, Senate Democrats introduced a set of sweeping tax proposals totaling more than $12 billion, despite Senate Republicans presenting a balanced budget with no tax increases (SB 5810). These proposed taxes continue to put us down the path of...
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House Democrats fumble justice-reform bill, leaving juvenile-justice facilities in crisis
OLYMPIA… On the final day for Senate bills to be considered by the House of Representatives, the majority Democrats in the House — including the Speaker of the House — fumbled a critical opportunity to alleviate dangerous overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities, leaving both residents and staff members in crisis. Senate Republican Leader John Braun,...
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On ‘Tax Day,’ Senate Democrats propose billions more in tax increases
OLYMPIA… As Washingtonians mark Tax Day, Olympia is seeing a second wave of tax proposals from the state Senate’s majority Democrats, to go with the $21 billion in new and higher taxes wrapped into the operating-budget proposal they endorsed two weeks ago. The majority’s new tax legislation emerged today – coincidentally on the same day...
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Washington State Senate Republican Caucus
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Do you like going to WA State Parks?
Legislative Democrats just passed legislation to raise the Discover Pass annual fee from $30 to $45 (SB 5390). Legislative Republicans oppose this move. We should not increase the costs for families and individuals just to enjoy the outdoors. ![]()
Contact Gov. Ferguson's Office and tell him to VETO SB 5390:
ow.ly/zu0x50VHtWe #parks #waleg
Sen. Mark Schoesler strongly opposes a newly passed firearms bill from Legislative Democrats (HB 1163), which he calls the most burdensome of his career. He highlights the challenges it imposes on law-abiding citizens, particularly in rural areas, and questions its necessity & fairness. #Unconstitutional #2A #waleg
WHAT ISN’T THE PUBLIC BEING TOLD?!
It’s been 21 days since Senate Democrats voted to shut the public out of the budget process.