Homelessness to Housing with Senator Phil Fortunato
8/28/2023… The homeless population has exploded in recent years. At the same time, housing prices have skyrocketed. Senator Phil Fortunato is the Ranking Republican on the Senate Housing Committee. He has a plan to tackle both that he calls Homelessness to Housing.
Senate Republican Priorities for Washington
8/21/2023… Senate Republican Leader John Braun talks about Restoring Public Safety, Returning Affordability and Rebooting Education.
Crime is up in Washington – Senator Nikki Torres talks about it
Violent crime increased by 8.5% in 2022. Murders rose by nearly 17% in one year. Robberies were up 18% in 2022 and over 12,000 more cars were stolen last year compared to 2021 totals. The new Yakima Valley Local Crime Lab just...
Washington state becomes national leader in drug-overdose deaths
Washington is now a national leader in drug-overdose deaths and two Republican state Senators say credit goes to Legislative Democrats. Senators Mike Padden and Jeff Wilson say statistics show drug deaths skyrocketed after Democratic leaders insisted on eliminating...
Senate Republicans: Democrat cap-and-trade policy real reason for highest gas prices in nation
Governor Jay Inslee and Democratic legislators are blaming oil companies for the highest gas prices in the nation, but Senate Republicans and most experts say the Democrats’ cap-and-trade program is the real reason why Washington gas is so expensive. Senators John...
Bill to Allow Opt Out of Long-Term Care Payroll Tax
Paychecks for most Washington workers are now smaller thanks to the new long-term care payroll tax. Senate Republicans are introducing legislation to allow workers to opt out of the tax. Senators John Braun, Curtis King, Lynda Wilson, and Chris Gildon held a news...
Green Energy with Sen. Matt Boehnke
It seems at times that the conversation around green energy often centers on wind and solar. But sometimes the wind doesn’t blow, and the sun doesn’t shine. So, what does reliable green energy look like? Sen. Matt Boehnke of Richland joins Tracy Ellis to talk about...
More Cap-and-Trade with Sen. John Braun
We continue our discussion about the Democrats’ cap-and-trade program and its effect on Washington gas prices, which are now the highest in the country. Senate Republican leader John Braun is featured.
Cap-and-Trade with Sen. Mark Schoesler
Will the latest cap-and-trade carbon auction raise fuel prices again? Certain industries in Washington are subject to a statewide cap on carbon pollution. To cover their emissions, they’re required to purchase allowances. The price for a Washington carbon allowance in...
The Long-term Care Payroll Tax with Sen. John Braun
Washington workers must start paying the WA Cares long-term care payroll tax next month. Someone making just over $50,000 a year will pay about $24 a month. If you don’t move out of Washington, you’ll be eligible for a lifetime maximum benefit of $36,500 after paying...
Irv Newhouse Building Replacement Groundbreaking
The Irv Newhouse Building on the state capitol campus in Olympia is gone. Built as a “temporary” structure in 1934, the building housed the Senate Republican Caucus until the end of 2022. Construction of a new building is getting underway and is expected to be...
The release of sexual predators and prisoners with substance use disorder
Dealing with prisoners after they’re released from custody is the impetus behind bills from Senators Phil Fortunato and Chris Gildon. One measure aims to protect the public from them, while the other looks to protect them from themselves.