Leadership Blog

In the News

VIDEO: KOMO: Braun Demands Accountability After Audit Flags $37M in Questionable Child Care Payments

Published on April 07, 2026
After a state audit estimated $37 million in questionable child-care payments, Senator John Braun is calling for transparency and accountability at the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Braun says taxpayers deserve clear answers and stronger safeguards to prevent abuse while ensuring families who rely on child-care programs receive support.
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AUDIO: Billions Spent, Little Accountability: Sen. Braun Sounds Alarm on Child Welfare Spending on the Lars Larson Show.

Published on April 06, 2026
Senate Republican Leader John Braun joins Lars Larson to discuss a troubling audit of Washington’s child welfare agency, revealing widespread overpayments and weak oversight. Braun questions why billions in taxpayer dollars are poorly tracked, why the agency employs many lobbyists but few auditors, and why accountability from state leadership remains absent.
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VIDEO: Sen. John Braun on The John Curley Show on KIRO: Millions Wasted in WA Childcare Program?!

Published on April 03, 2026
A new state audit is raising serious concerns about how taxpayer money is being handled in Washington. Senate Republican Leader John Braun says the findings reveal “nothing short of a systemic failure” inside the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, pointing to widespread overpayments to childcare providers and millions in improper spending. In just a...
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WA Income Tax Signed — But Fraud, Lawsuits & Government Waste Still Growing — The Elephant in the Dome Podcast

Published on April 03, 2026
Washington now has a new income tax set to take effect in 2028. But questions remain about how the state manages the money it already collects. In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, host Tracy Ellis sits down with Senate Republican Leader John Braun to discuss a troubling state audit involving the Washington State...
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AUDIO: Braun: Auditor’s report reveals ‘systemic failure’ and misplaced priorities at DCYF

Published on April 01, 2026
A new state audit is raising serious concerns about how Washington oversees childcare funding. Tracy Ellis reports.
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News

February 27, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: How an Income Tax Shapes the Budget—and Schools

Senator John Braun unpacks the Senate operating budget, income tax assumptions, education funding challenges, and concerns over one‑time money used for ongoing programs. TRANSCRIPT
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February 19, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Fentanyl, Families, and the Fight for Child Safety

Senator John Braun and Fostering Change Washington’s Jamie Williams discuss stalled child protection bills and the urgent need to update Washington’s child endangerment laws. They explore the fentanyl crisis, legislative roadblocks, and how citizens can push for accountability to protect vulnerable children from drug-exposed environments. Support Senate Bill 5071—contact your legislators today and demand action...
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February 02, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

ALERT: Listening sessions for the two initiatives before the Legislature

On Tuesday, February 3, Senate and House Republicans are hosting two listening sessions on the two citizen-initiatives that have been submitted to the Legislature this year. While it is the Legislature’s constitutional duty to prioritize initiatives above all other business, majority Democrats refuse to allow a hearing on either proposal. This shuts down any opportunity...
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January 29, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast—The People’s Voice in Olympia: Parental Rights & Fair Play in Girls’ Sports

In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, Tracy Ellis sits down with Senate Republican Leader John Braun and Caucus Chair Judy Warnick to discuss two citizen-driven initiatives shaping Washington’s legislative agenda: IL26-638 – Protecting fairness and safety in girls’ sports, and IL26-001 – Restoring the Parents’ Bill of Rights. We dive into why these...
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October 30, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

What Can Washington Afford—and Not Afford—to Do?

Sen. John Braun unpacks the affordability crisis in Washington—from groceries to housing to Medicaid. He explores priorities, long-term costs, and what lawmakers must do to keep essential services sustainable. TRANSCRIPT
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August 21, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Fairness in Sports, Food Access, and Forest Stewardship: A Triple Challenge for Washington

Senator John Braun discusses fairness in girls’ sports, Kroger store closures tied to regulations and theft, and the need for responsible forest management to protect public lands and rural economies in this episode of The Elephant in the Dome. [TRANSCRIPT]
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July 28, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast – Accountability & Reform: Medicaid, Car Thefts, and Juvenile Justice

Senator John Braun breaks down evolving questions around Medicaid changes, celebrates steep drops in auto thefts, and confronts serious concerns at Green Hill’s juvenile facility in this candid episode of The Elephant in the Dome. [TRANSCRIPT]
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July 15, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast – Braun’s Big Beautiful Bill Breakdown

Senator John Braun responds to Governor Ferguson’s harsh criticism of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill.” While the governor warns of devastating impacts to health care, food assistance, clean energy, and rural hospitals, Braun argues that the bill introduces thoughtful reforms that improve accountability, affordability, and support for vulnerable groups. He emphasizes that most changes target...
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May 30, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Gov. Ferguson’s First Big Test: What He Signed, Vetoed, and Didn’t

Senate Republican Leader John Braun reacts to Governor Bob Ferguson’s bill signings, a surprising veto, and the policies he let stand. From tax hikes to housing studies, police funding to rent control, we break down what made the cut—and what didn’t—in his first legislative session as governor.
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May 16, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Education—The State’s Paramount Duty, A Reality Check with Sen. John Braun

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.
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April 25, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Session Closes: Taxes, Public Safety, and Education Updates

As the Legislative Session ends, Senate Republican Leader John Braun unpacks key issues: tax debates, rent control, unemployment benefits for striking workers, public safety strides, and challenges in education policy.
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March 07, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Anti-Semitism on Campus, Public Safety, and Washington’s Budget Crisis

On this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator John Braun is joined by KVI radio host Ari Hoffman for a no-holds-barred conversation about rising anti-Semitism on college campuses, the state of public safety in Washington, and the looming budget crisis. They discuss the University of Washington’s handling of campus activism, the challenges of...
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