Leadership Blog

In the News

AUDIO: On ‘Tax Day,’ Senate Democrats propose billions more in tax increases

Published on April 15, 2025
On Tax Day (Tuesday), State Senate Democrats unveil a sweeping tax package that would likely cost you and everyone you know more to live in Washington. You can comment at a Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing scheduled for 5:30 tomorrow (Wednesday). Tracy Ellis has more.
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AUDIO: Week 13 Legislative Session Update with Senate Republican Leader John Braun

Published on April 12, 2025
State Senate Democrats are pushing to scrap the one percent cap on property tax growth, opening the door for taxes to skyrocket with inflation. A Democrat rent control bill from the House cleared the Senate and now heads back to the House for further consideration. Senator Braun speaks out against both measures.
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AUDIO: Democrats pass bill to bully schools, sideline parents

Published on April 11, 2025
The state Senate Republican Leader accuses Senate Democrats of passing a bill that bullies schools and sidelines parents. Tracy Ellis reports.
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Property Taxes & Rent Control—The Unintended Consequences

Published on April 10, 2025
Senate Republican Leader John Braun discusses concerns over proposed property tax increases and rent control, featuring voices from homeowners, renters, and landlords. He examines economic impacts, the housing crisis, and the broader effects on businesses and essential services.  
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AUDIO: Republicans Push Back Against Democrat-Led Property Tax Hike

Published on April 09, 2025
State Senate Democrats are pushing to scrap the one percent cap on property tax growth, opening the door for taxes to skyrocket with inflation. Senate Republicans call it reckless, saying it would hit homeowners and renters hard. Tracy Ellis has more.
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News from the Caucus

April 10, 2025
Keith Goehner

Goehner opposes rent-control ‘recipe for disaster’ passed by Senate majority

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Sen. Keith Goehner says the so-called “rent stabilization” measure passed today by Senate Democrats is a failed policy and would have devastating consequences for housing affordability, small landlords, and renters alike. Goehner, R-Dryden and lead Republican on the Senate Housing Committee, issued this statement: “Let’s call it what...
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April 10, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

Rent control is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, says Braun

OLYMPIA…Today, majority Democrats in the Washington State Senate passed a misguided rent-control bill they claim will address the state’s critical shortage of affordable housing. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, voted against House Bill 1217, as did his Republican colleagues. Braun shared this reaction to the vote: “We all agree that rents across our state...
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April 04, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: Say what? Gov. Ferguson draws a line in the sand

    “Sometimes we need to tell our friends hard truths.” Earlier this week, the governor announced at a press conference that he will not sign any version of an operating budget that does not meet the following requirements: Protects the “rain-day fund” Is based on realistic revenue projections Minimizes new investments Includes savings and...
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March 28, 2025
Keith Goehner

House committee backs Goehner bill to expand local housing options

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Legislation sponsored by Sen. Keith Goehner to expand “middle housing” options in urban growth areas took a key step forward this week, earning strong bipartisan support in the House Housing Committee. Senate Bill 5471 now moves closer to consideration by the full House of Representatives. The proposal would...
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March 03, 2025
Keith Wagoner

Wagoner bill to help veterans moves to House

Today the Senate unanimously approved legislation from Sen. Keith Wagoner that would expand the number of available long-term care beds for veterans, simultaneously helping to address Washington’s homelessness crisis while also alleviating the pressure on the medical foster home system. “So many of our nation’s men and women in uniform serve and sacrifice for this...
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February 24, 2025
Keith Goehner

Senate passes Goehner bill to expand local housing options

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Sen. Keith Goehner’s work to give counties more options for promoting affordable housing received a big boost last Wednesday. The Senate gave overwhelming bipartisan support to Senate Bill 5471, Goehner’s effort to let counties authorize at least one “middle housing” unit on every parcel zoned for single-family homes...
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February 20, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: Emergency powers, the mileage tax and more

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...
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February 05, 2025
Keith Goehner

Goehner concerned about bill to allow more mobile dwelling units

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Although travel trailers aren’t meant to be used as long-term housing, a bill that recently moved forward from the Senate Housing Committee leans in that direction – too much so for Sen. Keith Goehner. Senate Bill 5332 would expand the areas in which mobile dwelling units (MDUs), such...
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