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.
Emotional speeches on new hard drug possession law and Governor Inslee vetoes accountability
The state Legislature passed a bill in a special session that the Governor signed into law making hard drug possession a gross misdemeanor with the goal of getting people who suffer from substance abuse disorder into treatment. Two state Senators, Republicans John...
Governor Jay Inslee signs several Senate Republican Caucus member bills into law
Governor Inslee approved bills from Senators Keith Wagoner, Ron Muzzall, Chris Gildon, Mike Padden, Jeff Wilson, Drew MacEwen, Mark Schoesler, Shelly Short, and Curtis King.
Governor calls special session to work on hard drug possession law
Senators John Braun and Keith Wagoner say the move is a bit premature.
Failure to reform drug-possession law rests squarely with House Democrats, says Republican leader
A bill to increase the penalty for hard drug-possession failed in the House of Representatives in the final hours of the legislative session. No Republicans voted for the bill and legislative Democrats say that surprised them. Senate Republican Leader John Braun...
Senator John Braun: Republican Priorities on Sine Die
Restore public safety, Return affordability, Reboot Education Those were state Senate Republicans' priorities this legislative session. Senate Republican Leader John Braun talks about them.
Senate Republican Leader talks about Republican priorities and Senate Republicans vote against gun ban
In this three-minute podcast, Senate Republican Leader John Braun discusses hard drug possession, budgets, and special education and Sen. Drew MacEwen gives a speech opposing a ban on some rifles.
Republican leaders call foul on Democrat late-session bid to raise property taxes
Senate Democrats unveiled a new proposal that would allow three percent state and local property tax hikes without a vote of the people - that’s triple the current one percent limit. Senators John Braun, Mark Schoesler and Keith Wagoner talk about it.
Legislature should focus on key issues, and letting state off hook in privacy bill height of hypocrisy
Senate Republican Leader John Braun has a message for the Democratic majority in the legislature: Stop diverting attention from the public's biggest concerns. The "height of hypocrisy." That’s how Sen. Mike Padden describes a provision that lets the state off the hook...
Housing and Homelessnes with Senator John Braun
Senate Republican Leader John Braun recently expressed his frustration with Gov. Jay Inslee’s rhetoric on homelessness and housing. Elephant in the Dome host Tracy Ellis sat down with Senator Braun to talk about those issues.
Supreme Court Ruling on capital-gains income tax and the Senate operating budget
The Senate Republican budget leader has a warning for taxpayers after the State Supreme Court backed a capital-gains income tax, but she's also applauding a proposed state budget from Senate Democrats because of no new taxes and investments in things like public...