News from the Caucus

OLYMPIA — Sen. Ron Muzzall has introduced Senate Bill 6266 to restore and clarify the authority of the Washington State Auditor to access records necessary to conduct authorized audits of state agencies and programs, including records that are confidential by law. The bill is aimed at strengthening accountability and ensuring the State Auditor can fully...

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican leaders say the governor chose the wrong side today in signing a new state operating budget that relies on the largest package of tax increases in Washington history. Despite earlier denouncing new taxes that would hit the state’s working families, Gov. Bob Ferguson decided not to veto bills that will extend the...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Sen. Matt Boehnke’s bill to strengthen Washington’s election security was endorsed yesterday by the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee, moving the proposal one step closer to a full House vote. Senate Bill 5014 would expand the Secretary of State’s oversight of election equipment and platforms,...

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Sen. Keith Goehner today commended the Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force and all law-enforcement officers involved in the recent arrest of Percy Levy, whose prison sentence for robbery had been commuted by Jay Inslee, former Washington governor. Levy, arrested March 13 in Everett, faces 11 felony charges,...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… In a landmark move to require more accountability from climate-related policies and programs, the Senate passed legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke that would transition the state from biennial to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting. Senate Bill 5036 would provide a more current snapshot of Washington’s emissions,...

CORRECTION: The original version of this Newsflash incorrectly quoted the proposed mileage tax at 26 cents per mile. The correct tax rate per mile is 2.6 cents per mile. The article below has been corrected to reflect the 2.6 cent rate.   IN THE NEWS: Emergency powers reform During the pandemic, former Gov. Jay Inslee...

HELP STOP SENATE BILL 5382 “This bill is completely absurd and un-American.” – 14th LD constituent The current Secretary of State Steve Hobbs (Democrat) and former Secretary of State Sam Reed (Republican) BOTH oppose SB 5382 and say it would not be good for Washington. Kill this bill. Washington’s initiative process is a vital tool...

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, shared the following sentiments after an announcement by Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, saying he will not seek reelection to the 4th District Senate seat he has held since 2011. Sen. Padden is currently the lead Republican on the Senate Law & Justice Committee. He was previously the chair...

WSDOT actions latest example of executive mismanagement, lack of accountability OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, offered the following comments in reaction to a KING-TV story about a lawsuit that reportedly will be filed soon on behalf of a former employee of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The employee, an economist and formerly...

CENTRALIA… Efforts to build a behavioral-health treatment facility in Lewis County are being pushed back another six months by what Lewis County lawmakers say is another broken promise from Gov. Jay Inslee’s administration. Sen. John Braun and Rep. Peter Abbarno, both R-Centralia, are particularly frustrated because the governor’s office assured them an important cost-saving change...

OLYMPIA… Several of Washington’s Senate Republicans say the next time legislators are in session, they’ll try again to give workers an opportunity to opt out of the mandatory long-term care tax that began cutting into paychecks July 1. “Workers around our state are looking at their pay stubs and saying ‘I didn’t ask for this...

Senate Republican leader disappointed with snub of special education   OLYMPIA…Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed 20 provisos in the 2023-25 operating budget this week, including some that would have improved government accountability. Senate Republican Leader John Braun released comments in response to the governor vetoing the following items: Requirement for the Department of Social and Human...