Elephant in the Dome Podcast | The Fight for Parental Rights: Senate Bill 5181 Debate and Failing Schools
In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, hosts Tracy Ellis and Laudan Espinoza sit down with Senate Republican Leader John Braun to discuss the controversial Senate Bill 5181. How does this bill impact parental rights in schools? What key amendments were made, and...
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Reducing Sentences for Violent Crimes? Washington’s Shocking New Bills
In this episode of the Elephant in the Dome, Senator John Braun and hosts Tracy Ellis and Lauden Espinoza dive into the shocking legislation proposed in Washington state that would reduce sentences for violent crimes—including those involving firearms. How does this...
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: A Better Future for Washington’s Children
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 sit down with Senate Republican Leader John Braun. They delve into Democrat efforts affecting parental rights,...
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...
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senate Republican Priorities, Budget Challenges and Transportation Funding
Washington State Association of Broadcasters and Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington legislative session preview Senate Republican Leader John Braun on Senate Republicans' priorities Senator Chris Gildon on the need to identify the actual budget problem Senator...
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: New Democrat taxes, hiring more law enforcement, repealing sanctuary state status
State Senate Democrats accidentally leak new tax plans. A bill seeks 100 million dollars to help hire more law-enforcement officers. A Senator wants to help illegal immigrants by repealing Washington's sanctuary state status. Guests include: Sen. Chris Gildon, Sen....
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Majority Coalition Caucus versus single-party rule
As Democrats prepare for unilateral, supermajority control in Olympia, Republicans recall a more bipartisan era - 12 years ago, when the Majority Coalition Caucus, an historic alliance that ushered in a wave of critical reforms, came into existence.
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senator frustrated about bureaucratic delay of school earthquake protections
Tens-of-millions of dollars set aside to protect schools from earthquakes is not getting spent, and state Senator Judy Warnick wants something done about it. The Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is supposed to be distributing the money.
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Shortage of public defenders and prosecutors – a criminal justice crisis
Washington’s criminal justice system has a big problem – a shortage of public defenders and prosecutors. Senator Mike Padden, a former judge and the Ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee is the featured guest. Washington Supreme Court justices...
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senator Blindsided by Department of Children, Youth, and Families mismanagement and transfer and return of inmates
Senator Matt Boehnke says State Department of Children, Youth, and Families mismanagement is leading to dangerous conditions at juvenile detention centers. Juvenile detention center overcrowding led to the transfer of dozens of men to adult prisons, but a judge ruled...
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: The public defender shortage crisis
A shortage of public defenders is leading to the release of people charged with serious crimes. Senator Nikki Torres is working to address the crisis.
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: New laws on police pursuits, parental rights, income taxes go into effect
New laws are going into effect that impact police pursuits, parental rights, and income taxes in Washington. The legislature passed three initiatives related to those issues. Senators Mike Padden, Shelly Short, and Matt Boehnke talk about them.