Leadership Blog

In the News

AUDIO: Longview senator calls for thorough, transparent state investigation of deadly spill

Published on May 27, 2026
In the wake of a catastrophic tank collapse that turned deadly, the focus in Longview and in the state legislature is shifting toward the search for answers. Tracy Ellis tells us a Senator wants a full accounting from the state.
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AUDIO: Sen. Jeff Wilson on the Longview Paper Mill Disaster

Published on May 27, 2026
A chemical tank ruptured at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill in Longview, leaving several dead and injured. State Sen. Jeff Wilson (R-Longview) joined OPB’s Think Out Loud to discuss the tragedy. A Longview native and former hazardous waste management contractor who has worked on-site at the mill for years, Wilson provides a unique perspective on...
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Is This Law Killing Your Wallet? The Truth About WA Gas Prices on The Elephant in the Dome podcast

Published on May 20, 2026
In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon and the Washington Policy Center’s Todd Myers break down Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Discover how this “cap-and-tax” law secretly targets your energy bills, driving gas prices up by 55 cents a gallon, and why Republicans are fighting to pause it. TRANSCRIPT
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AUDIO: Delaying light rail offers best hope for new bridge

Published on April 30, 2026
Thirteen years ago, $3.5 billion would have paid for a whole new Columbia River bridge—today, it only covers the light rail. Tracy Ellis has this update.
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Starbucks, Sonics, and the I-5 Bridge: Washington is more expensive because of Democrat policies and it’s affecting everyone and everything

Published on April 30, 2026
Is Washington losing its competitive edge? In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senate Republican Leader John Braun breaks down the affordability crisis hitting our state. From Starbucks’ Nashville expansion and record-breaking tax increases to the stalled progress on the I-5 Columbia River bridge, we examine how current policies are driving families and...
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News

March 12, 2021
John Braun

Senate Republican leaders: Inslee’s school-choice approach to reopening K-12 instruction solid step toward improving youth mental health  

  OLYMPIA… Leaders in the Senate Republican Caucus released the following remarks in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement today that all K-12 public schools in Washington will be required by executive order to provide safe in-person and remote learning options for students by mid-April. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia: “There is no doubt...
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March 04, 2021
Senate Republican Caucus

Republican lawmakers: Move schools, employers to next phase now

‘Open Safe, Open Now: A Republican plan for Phase 3 and Beyond’ shows trust in the people   READ THE PLAN OLYMPIA…In response to sharply declining COVID-19 case rates and hospitalization rates statewide, legislative Republicans today announced a simple, practical and consistent plan to get all communities in Washington fully open for both school and...
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June 17, 2015
Senate Republican Caucus

2015: Best year for students and teachers in decades

Sen. Bruce Dammeier, vice chair of the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee answers the question, “What have lawmakers done for students this year?” Senate education budget facts: Greatest new investment in K-12 of any budget in state history. 47 percent of the budget dedicated to K-12 education — a share not seen since the...
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May 11, 2015
Senate Republican Caucus

2015: Best year for K-12 education funding in decades

Washington’s education union is planning a series of one-day strikes protesting the Legislature’s work on education funding. See here for information on the strike. What have lawmakers done for students this year? Greatest new investment in K-12 of any budget in state history Bipartisan efforts would invest in all-day kindergarten, K-3 class size reduction and...
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May 07, 2015
Senate Republican Caucus

2015 – A great year for education

Washington’s education union is planning a series of one-day strikes protesting the Legislature’s work on education funding. See here for information on the strike. What have lawmakers done for students this year? Greatest new investment in K-12 of any budget in state history Bipartisan efforts would invest in all-day kindergarten, K-3 class size reduction and...
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April 21, 2015
Senate Republican Caucus

School Superintendents speak out on the importance of finishing state budget on time

“School districts depend so much on the Legislature to complete their work on time so that we can complete our work.  Whether it’s hiring teachers to reduce class size, adding more sections of full-day kindergarten, or purchasing busses, until the Legislature approves a budget, we are unable to move forward with our planning and decision-making. ...
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February 24, 2015
Senate Republican Caucus

Washington teacher’s union supports convicted child molesters receiving state funded pensions

In Washington, public employees who commit a crime don’t lose their taxpayer guaranteed retirements, and teachers can earn the right to a lifetime retirement after working for as little as five years. In Washington, public employees who commit a crime don’t lose their taxpayer guaranteed retirements, and teachers can earn the right to a lifetime...
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February 11, 2015
John Braun

MEDIA ADVISORY: Sens. Bailey and Braun announce major revamp to college tuition

OLYMPIA… Students will join chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, Sen. Barbara Bailey and Deputy Majority Leader, Sen. John Braun to unveil a new plan for higher education affordability in a news conference Thursday, Feb. 12.   Date:               Thursday, Feb. 12 at 12:45 p.m. Locations:      Senate Hearing Room 2, John A. Cherberg Bldg.
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