Categories

A Better Future for Washington Children Podcasts A Safer Washington Podcasts Affordability Agriculture & Water Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks An Affordable Washington Podcasts Audio/Video News Better Future for Our Children Budget Budget & Taxes Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Business, Jobs & Economy Capital Budget The Deputies Podcast Education Energy Environment, Energy & Technology Family Issues Government Accountability Health Care Health & Long-term Care Higher Education & Workforce Development Housing Human Services In the News Initiatives to the Legislature Labor & Commerce Land Use & Housing Law & Justice Leadership News & Blog Legislature Local Government Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs Majority Coalition Caucus Member/District Specific Newsletters Operating Budget Podcast Public Safety Seen and Heard Senate Republican Caucus State Government, Veterans Affairs & Elections Taxes and Tax Relief Top Stories Transportation

Leadership Blog

In the News

AUDIO: Sen. Matt Boehnke bill signed into law to streamline financial aid tracking

Published on March 24, 2026
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.
Read More

A ‘Train Wreck’ for Washington? Inside the 2026 Legislative Session

Published on March 19, 2026
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...
Read More

AUDIO: Sen. Keith Goehner Reflects on Washington’s Legislative Session and Budget Concerns on KPQ’s The Agenda

Published on March 18, 2026
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.
Read More

AUDIO: Sen. Matt Boehnke bill protecting Washingtonians from AI deepfakes signed into law

Published on March 16, 2026
A new Washington law aims to keep artificial intelligence from stealing your identity. Tracy Ellis explains.
Read More

AUDIO: Legislative update with State Senate Republican Leader John Braun – Income Tax Passage Raises Legal and Voter Concerns

Published on March 13, 2026
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.
Read More
News Categories

News

February 25, 2026
Ron Muzzall

A quick session update and why rural hospitals matter

The legislative session is moving fast. Short sessions always do. It reminds me of those stretches on the farm when the weather window is tight and there’s more work than daylight. You start the morning walking the rows, checking on things, and before you know it you’re running hard just to keep up. Today is Policy...
Read More
September 24, 2025
Keith Goehner

Setting the record straight on COVID-19 vaccines in Washington

Sen. Goehner, R-Dryden, talks with Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, on the Senate floor. Online discussions about COVID-19 vaccines have created confusion for many families across the state. Here is what residents of the 12th Legislative District should know about current guidance and the law in Washington: The Centers for Disease Control have updated their guidance...
Read More
May 10, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Joint statement: Braun and Stokesbary comment on end to Inslee’s vaccine mandate

Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that he will rescind requirements related to COVID-19 vaccination for state employees. House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary and Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement in response to the governor’s directive: “Just as Governor Inslee was slow to end his COVID state of emergency, he’s been equally behind the times...
Read More
March 01, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Bill threatening rights of parents passes Senate

Senate Bill 5599 removes parents from health and mental health care decision-making process OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, made the following remarks after the state Senate’s majority Democrats passed legislation that would give youth-related facilities a troubling new excuse for withholding the whereabouts of runaway children from their parents. Under Senate Bill 5599, those...
Read More
August 17, 2022
Senate Republican Caucus

Inslee’s state of emergency at 900 days and counting… but why?

August 17, 2022 Once upon a time, Governor Inslee spoke of “data” and “science” when defending pandemic-related decisions he made with the self-granted authority that came with proclaiming a state of emergency. Around 16 months into the state of emergency a reporter asked the governor, in so many words, if state law gave him too...
Read More
November 06, 2021
Senate Republican Caucus

Republican leaders oppose vaccine mandate for the private sector

House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox and Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement today: “We oppose the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for the private sector. This policy will be counterproductive. It will also endanger successful Washington businesses, which have already adjusted to protect public health, and risk more shortages of critical goods and...
Read More
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...
Read More
1