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Senators
Washington State Budget Debate: Inslee's Final Proposal and Ferguson's Fiscal Approach
- Governor Inslee’s budget proposal would add $13 billion in new taxes
- Additional taxes would target Washington employers, raising the cost of doing business
- Republicans suggest that instead of increasing taxes, the state should focus on reducing spending
- The shortfall is not due to a recession or drop in revenue but rather because of overspending
- Senate Republicans have expressed cautious optimism regarding Governor-elect Bob Ferguson’s approach to the state’s fiscal challenges.
- Unlike his predecessor, outgoing Governor Jay Inslee, Ferguson has signaled a willingness to consider spending reductions over tax increases.
VIDEO
TVW: Inside Olympia: Senate Budget Leaders
Republican leaders find hope and promise in the new Democratic governor’s inaugural address
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News from the Caucus
AUDIO: Senate panel passes Holy bill to help hire more law-enforcement officers
A bipartisan bill to increase the number of law enforcement officers in Washington is a step closer to being signed by Governor Bob Ferguson. Tracy Ellis explains.
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AUDIO: State Senate Republican leadership update with Senator John Braun
Legislative Democrats are attempting to overturn the Parental Rights Initiative 2081 through Senate Bill 5181. The initiative, which was endorsed by over 400,000 Washingtonians, enshrined and clarified parental and familial rights in public education.
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AUDIO: Budget and spending are top issues for 2025 Legislature, Short says
Washington taxpayers are being asked to cover the costs of unfortunate spending decisions by majority Democrats in Olympia, according to a state legislator. Tracy Ellis explains.
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VIDEO: Legislative Republican Leadership Media Availability
Senators John Braun and Shelly Short and other Legislative Republican leaders hold their weekly media availability to discuss the 2025 legislative session.
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VIDEO: Senate Republican Leader John Braun legislative update
Welcome to the first legislative update of the 2025 session from Senator Braun. Throughout this session, Senator Braun will provide regular updates to keep you informed about the latest developments and legislative activities. Stay tuned for more insights and progress reports as we work together to make a positive impact.
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Governor’s Inaugural Address, Budget Insights, and Legislative Updates
In this episode of “The Elephant in the Dome,” the official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus, hosts Tracy Ellis and Laudan Espinoza are joined by Senate Republican Leader John Braun. They discuss Governor Bob Ferguson’s inaugural address and some key issues facing legislators. They also touch on the potential for new taxes...
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News from the Senators
Braun proposes transforming The Evergreen State College to address Washington’s growing health-care workforce crisis
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, introduced a bill today that would better position Washington to manage the critical demand for 3.2 million additional health-care workers within the next five years. Senate Bill 5424 would change the mission of The Evergreen State College (TESC), which, as an institution of higher education, has declined in recent...
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Boehnke looks to improve rules for siting of power plants
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick OLYMPIA… The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) held a special meeting on September 13 to approve the revised site certification agreement for the controversial Horse Heaven Wind Project. Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, believes the EFSEC’s process to approve the revised site certification agreement (SCA) did not properly account for...
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Infant fentanyl overdoses warrant felony charges, says Braun
CENTRALIA…Three infants in the Everett area overdosed on fentanyl over four days this week, including a 13-month-old who died. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, shared the following reaction to these preventable tragedies. “It’s completely indefensible when an infant or child gets sick or dies because someone in the household is using deadly drugs such...
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Right to protest does not include blocking airport access, says Braun
CENTRALIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released the following statement following the anti-Israel protest that blocked access to SeaTac Airport for several hours today. “People have the right to peaceably protest, but they don’t have the right to put themselves and drivers at risk by blocking access to our busiest airport. I understand that...
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Braun appalled by Seattle teacher’s blatantly antisemitic comments
OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, today shared his reaction to comments made by Seattle school teacher Ian Golash during an interview posted Friday to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. When asked if the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas terrorists on Israeli citizens was justified, Golash responded, “Yes.” As the...
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Sen. Braun on Sen. Rivers’ decision not to seek reelection: ‘We will deeply miss her leadership and service’
CENTRALIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this response to today’s announcement by Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, that she will not be seeking a new term as the 18th Legislative District’s state senator: “Having served with Senator Rivers for more than a decade, from a neighboring district, I know how hard she has worked...
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Washington State Senate Republican Caucus
The official Facebook page of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus
#tbt Do you think your property taxes are too low? How about your rent? Last year, after major public outcry, we defeated Legislative Democrats' legislation that would triple the allowable growth rate of your property tax increases and drive up rental costs (SB 5770 in 2024). However, according to leaked documents, Legislative Democrats will try to pass this policy again.Legislative Republicans want to give families and individuals property tax relief instead (SB 5151). #GovernmentGreed #SaveWA #StopTheGreed #ThrowbackThursday #waleg
AUDIO: The legislative session is underway, and there’s a new governor. Democrats are in the majority. Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, talks about a projected budget shortfall and the Governor’s inaugural address in his 9th District Legislative Update. #walegLISTEN: ow.ly/jeXa50UI78g