Leadership Blog

In the News

The Crisis of Washington’s “Keeping Families Together Act” | Elephant in the Dome Podcast

Published on June 17, 2026
In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon sits down with foster parent and healthcare professional Tracie Jefferson. They dive deep into the devastating, unintended consequences of Washington State’s “Keeping Families Together Act,” examining how its high removal thresholds and systemic issues impact vulnerable children. TRANSCRIPT
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VIDEO: Senator Jeff Wilson on Longview tank explosion

Published on June 04, 2026
KIRO 7: Longview leaders react to no regulatory inspections of white liquor tanks KOIN 6: Longview community’s future discussed by Senator Jeff Wilson
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AUDIO: As summer heat looms, Warnick pushes for wildfire insurance transparency and central Washington water security

Published on June 03, 2026
With the summer heat kicking in, Central Washington is bracing for drought—but a state senator says water is only half the battle. Tracy Ellis explains.
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Is Washington Misdiagnosing the Homeless Crisis? | Jonathan Choe & Sen. Chris Gildon

Published on June 03, 2026
Is housing really the solution to Washington’s homelessness crisis? Senator Chris Gildon and investigative journalist Jonathan Choe discuss why “Housing First” models are failing. They explore the impact of fentanyl, the lack of taxpayer accountability, and why treating addiction as a mental illness is the only way forward for Washington state. Transcript: The Elephant in...
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AUDIO: Governor should explain why temporary gas-price relief isn’t worth considering

Published on June 02, 2026
A state Senator says families deserve an honest talk about why Washington gas prices are some of the highest in America. Tracy Ellis explains.
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News

February 07, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Property-tax hike most destructive bill this session

Higher property taxes and rents could be on the way if legislation headed to the state Senate floor eventually becomes law. Tracy Ellis reports the bill triples the allowable property tax growth rate for local governments.
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February 02, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Initiative 2117 Repeal Cap-and-Tax

Initiative 2117 would repeal the state cap-and-trade scheme known as the Climate Commitment Act enacted by Democrats. Governor Jay Inslee claimed any effect on gas prices from the policy would be ‘minimal’ or ‘pennies.’ It’s estimated that cap-and-tax has increased Washington’s gas costs by as much as 50 cents a gallon.
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January 26, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Initiative 2113 Police Pursuits

Restores the authority of a peace officer to engage in a vehicular pursuit when there is reasonable suspicion a person has violated the law and the officer follows appropriate safety standards
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January 25, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Sen. John Braun talks about a ban on natural gas, taxes, and initiatives to the Legislature.

Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, gives us an update on the 2024 Legislative Session. He explains a House bill that would ban the use of natural gas, a policy that could be dangerous in cold snaps. He also discusses important and costly tax bills, and the initiatives that are before the Legislature.
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January 18, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Senate Republican Leader John Braun provides an update on the 2024 Legislative Session

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, 20th Legislative District, shares information about the bills and initiatives before the Washington State Legislature this legislative session. Critical items that would help undo damage done by majority Democrat policies.
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January 17, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Democrat bill (SB 5770) triples increase in property tax rate

Governments in Washington now can collect 1% more annually in property tax without having to seek voter approval. SB 5770 would allow that increase to be as much as 3%. This is forecast to raise taxes by $12 billion over the next 10 years.
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January 11, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, shares his first weekly 2024 video update from Olympia

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, 20th Legislative District, welcomes you to the 2024 Legislative Session and outlines his top priorities. These include securing a safer Washington, fighting for an affordable Washington, and building a better future for Washington’s children.
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January 09, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO/VIDEO: State Senator Nikki Torres gives the Republican perspective on the 2024 legislative session

In the response to Governor Jay Inslee’s State of the State Address, Republicans say his government has let people down. Cassidy Butler explains. Watch the entire response
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January 03, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Braun guest editorial in the Seattle Times: A sham lawsuit threatens to disenfranchise WA’s Latino voters

By John Braun Special to the Times In 2021 our state’s bipartisan, voter-created Redistricting Commission set Washington’s current legislative and congressional boundaries. In August, a federal judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in Soto Palmer v. Hobbs, who claimed the map of Central Washington’s 15th Legislative District violates the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA)....
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December 20, 2023
John Braun

Braun bill aimed at getting chronically absent students to re-engage with classes, resume path to graduation

OLYMPIA… Chronic absenteeism is among the major obstacles preventing Washington children from recovering from pandemic-related learning loss. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, has introduced legislation to help school administrators, teachers and parents get students to show up to school and take part in class. Senate Bill 5850 would provide support for students who are...
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December 15, 2023
John Braun

Poor awareness, rise in antisemitism necessitates more education about Jewish Holocaust of WWII

Bipartisan bill would make K-12 curriculum Nazi genocide of Jews mandatory   OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, pre-filed a bill today (Senate Bill 5851) for the 2024 legislative session that would make it mandatory for Washington’s K-12 public schools to teach the Jewish Holocaust curriculum developed by the Office...
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December 11, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Legislature must protect signature gatherers from harassment, senators say

Sens. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, John Braun, R-Centralia, and Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley. OLYMPIA – Lawmakers need to expand protections for initiative campaigns, say Senate Republicans, following an effort to intimidate signature gatherers promoted by the Washington State Democratic Party and the Washington chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, filed a...
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