News from the Caucus

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate DRYDEN… The top Republican member of the Washington State Senate Housing Committee today expressed serious concerns about the governor’s newly announced $244 million housing plan, warning that the proposal relies almost entirely on government subsidies and nonprofit development while failing to address the main barriers to large-scale housing construction....

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Last week, the governor signed landmark legislation sponsored by Sen. Keith Goehner, which gives counties the option to allow middle housing, such as duplexes and townhomes, in unincorporated growth areas and rural communities already poised for responsible development. Goehner’s bill passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support, reflecting...

On the final day of its 2025 session, the Legislature approved the 2025-27 state capital budget, with the two Senate Republicans who helped develop this budget praising it for addressing needs throughout Washington. “I’m pleased that the capital budget passed by the Legislature addresses many needs throughout the state,” said 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler,...

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...

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...

    “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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...