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Disclaimer: This is an edited transcript of The Elephant in the Dome podcast. It reflects the original conversation accurately but is not a word-for-word reproduction.
Tracy Ellis:
Welcome to The Elephant in the Dome, the official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus. I’m Tracy Ellis, joined by Senate Republican Leader John Braun. Today we’re asking a fundamental question: What can we afford—and what can we not afford—to do?
Sen. John Braun:
That’s the biggest question I hear from constituents. Affordability is top of mind—whether it’s food, gas, housing, childcare, or health care. These essentials are becoming harder to afford, and that’s largely due to policies from the Democratic majority. We simply can’t afford these policies, short-term or long-term.
Tracy:
Some things, like education, are non-negotiable. The state constitution makes it our paramount duty.
Braun:
Exactly. We’re required to fund education, but we also need to prioritize it. What we can’t afford is to keep undermining the system. If our kids don’t get the education they need, we’ll pay the price down the road—in workforce readiness, leadership, and prosperity.
Tracy:
Public safety is another area we can’t afford to ignore.
Braun:
Right. When stores close due to crime, it creates food deserts and forces people to travel farther for basic needs. That’s a cost—both financial and societal.
Tracy:
Do you think Democrats are asking themselves these affordability questions?
Braun:
If they are, it’s not obvious. We saw massive tax increases last session—sales taxes, business taxes—that drive up costs. I don’t think they’re considering the impact on cost of living. Many of their decisions seem driven by “luxury beliefs”—ideas that don’t affect them personally but hurt everyday Washingtonians.
Tracy:
Groceries are a good example. Everyone feels that pinch. What role does the legislature play?
Braun:
A big one. The legislature sets the tax structure, labor laws, and regulations that affect grocery prices. These costs get passed on to consumers. Even well-intentioned policies, like the Climate Commitment Act, raise gas prices—which then raise the cost of everything else.
Tracy:
Rent control was a hot topic last session. Democrats seem to care about affordability there.
Braun:
They’re right that high rents are a problem, especially in their districts. But rent control is the wrong solution. It addresses the symptom, not the cause. We’ve made it expensive to build and maintain housing. More supply is the answer—just look at Austin, Texas. Build more, and prices go down.
Tracy:
Buying a home in central Puget Sound is nearly impossible now.
Braun:
It’s prohibitively expensive, and it’s spreading to other parts of the state.
Tracy:
When essentials get more expensive, people cut back on non-essentials—like pumpkin spice lattes. That hurts businesses too.
Braun:
Exactly. And childcare is another area we haven’t talked enough about. Over-regulation has led to daycare closures, creating scarcity and driving up costs for families.
Tracy:
Let’s flip the question. What can we not afford to do?
Braun:
We can’t afford to ignore budget priorities. The Republican “Save Washington” budget didn’t make cuts—it maintained services. But we need to focus on core responsibilities: education, health care, transportation. The Democratic budget raised taxes and spent heavily on special interests, while cutting essential services like mental health facilities.
Tracy:
So it’s not about cutting—it’s about thoughtful spending?
Braun:
Exactly. We need to bend the cost curve, reform services, and find savings without harming vulnerable populations. That takes time and effort, but it’s essential.
Tracy:
Medicaid is another big-ticket item. Can we afford not to address it?
Braun:
Medicaid costs have grown 60% since 2021. That’s unsustainable. We need to manage it better—understand what’s driving costs and enforce reasonable standards, like work requirements for able-bodied adults. It’s about keeping the program focused and viable.
Tracy:
Sounds like another area that needs deep analysis.
Braun:
Absolutely. Especially in rural areas where hospitals rely heavily on Medicaid and Medicare. Recent changes have made it harder for hospitals to stay afloat, and that affects everyone’s access to care.
Tracy:
So, will affordability be the Republican focus next session?
Braun:
It has to be. Every bill should be evaluated for its cost—both immediate and long-term. We need to stop making Washington more unaffordable.
Tracy:
It’s the same question individuals, businesses, and nonprofits ask every day: What can we afford to do, and what can we not afford to do?
Braun:
Exactly. And it’s time the legislature asked it with the same seriousness.