News from the Caucus

OLYMPIA…Gov. Bob Ferguson today signed a bill sponsored by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, that will allow schools to use state funding for more appropriate student transportation options when using a school bus is not necessary or cost-effective. Student transportation to and from school, and to various K-12 programs and services, is funded through the Student...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Washington is taking a giant leap forward in election security. Thanks to a groundbreaking bipartisan bill championed by Sen. Matt Boehnke, the state’s elections will be more secure and resilient against cyber threats than ever before. On Saturday, the governor proudly signed Senate Bill 5014, marking a...

Senator John Braun discusses Washington’s constitutional duty to fund education, concerns over academic decline, the impact of local levies, and policy shifts shaping schools. Is the legislature delivering on its promise? Listen to find out.

Senators Mark Schoesler, Nikki Torres, and Perry Dozier discuss the latest budget decisions, tax policies, and housing challenges impacting Eastern Washington. They highlight bipartisan efforts, concerns over rising costs, and the potential for a special legislative session. LISTEN  

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… On Tuesday, the governor signed a bipartisan measure from Sen. Matt Boehnke that accelerates the deployment of distributed energy technologies like solar, storage, and agrivoltaics across the state. The new law is a major step forward for clean energy and land stewardship in Washington. “This is a...

A five-year-old Puyallup boy died from fentanyl exposure in his own home—a tragedy the State Senate Republican Leader says should never happen. Tracy Ellis reports.

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Yesterday, the governor signed a bipartisan measure from Sen. Keith Goehner that strengthens local governments’ ability to collaborate with the state on locating major clean-energy projects. The new law clarifies that cities and counties assisting the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC)—the state’s centralized permitting authority for large...

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement today after the Pierce County medical examiner found the March death of a 5-year-old Puyallup boy was caused by acute fentanyl toxicity. The boy’s mother was arrested and  appeared in court yesterday on a charge of first-degree manslaughter after allegedly exposing him to the...

On KVI, Sen. John Braun joins Ari Hoffman to discuss Washington’s budget concerns, campus protests at UW, and Democratic silence on antisemitism. He critiques overspending, calls for accountability, and urges leadership to address rising tensions. A candid conversation on pressing state issues.

Sen. John Braun joins Lars Larson to analyze Washington’s budget decisions, tax hikes, and Gov. Ferguson’s stance. He critiques spending habits, warns of economic risks, and urges fiscal responsibility. Will the governor veto or sign these controversial measures?

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement today in response to escalating violence and harassment during protests at the University of Washington: “The events unfolding at the University of Washington have crossed every line of decency and legality. Last night, protesters threw human feces at attendees of a Turning Point USA...

Monday’s protest at the University of Washington took a dangerous turn as demonstrators occupied a campus building, set fires, and barricaded entrances. The State Senate Republican leader says it can’t be tolerated. Tracy Ellis reports.