News

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.

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...

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...

A new state audit is raising serious concerns about how Washington oversees childcare funding. Tracy Ellis reports.

Both Republicans and Democrats agree on one aspect of today’s (Mon) bill signing establishing a Washington income tax: it’s historic. Tracy Ellis reports.

Think about what it would be like for your school district to suddenly face closure. A state legislator says families in Prescott lived through that exact fear. Tracy Ellis explains.

Washington is losing residents and income at a pace lawmakers can’t ignore. Senate Republican Leader John Braun breaks down IRS migration data, rising costs, new taxes, and why businesses and families are reconsidering their future in the state. He also discusses ExitWA and shares a message of hope and engagement. TRANSCRIPT

If you’ve ever tried to track a college financial aid application, you know it can feel like a maze. A new Washington law aims to make that process a lot clearer for students and families. Tracy Ellis reports.

Washington’s 2026 legislative session ended with a historic income tax proposal, an $80 billion state budget, and major fights over agriculture, law enforcement, and business regulation. Senate Republican Leader John Braun joins Elephant in the Dome to explain what passed, what Republicans stopped, and what it could mean for Washington’s economy. Topics include: Washington income...

Sen. Keith Goehner joins KPQ to discuss Washington’s 2026 legislative session, highlighting budget deficits, new taxes, pension shifts, and limits on public input. He addresses impacts on education, agriculture, energy policy, and county governments while stressing the need for accountability, sustainable spending, and meaningful engagement with constituents.

A new Washington law aims to keep artificial intelligence from stealing your identity. Tracy Ellis explains.

Sen. John Braun discusses the newly passed income tax, predicting legal challenges and criticizing constraints on voter input. He argues the measure violates the state constitution and says the initiative-only path will confuse voters and undermine a clear public decision on the tax.