Leadership Blog

In the News

AUDIO: Green Hill scandal ‘a systemic failure,’ demands accountability, transparency, reform

Published on October 21, 2025
State Senate Republican Leader John Braun is demanding action after reports of staff recording sexual acts with inmates at Green Hill School. Tracy Ellis reports.
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Housing Gridlock: What’s Driving Washington’s Crisis?

Published on October 16, 2025
Senators John Braun and Chris Gildon join builder Kurt Wilson to unpack why housing is unaffordable and scarce in Washington—from rent control to red tape—and what Republicans say must change to get homes built and prices down. TRANSCRIPT Please share with your network. The more voices in the conversation, the closer we get to real...
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AUDIO: Sen. Curtis King talks paid family leave on KVI’s Morning Ride

Published on October 15, 2025
Sen. Curtis King argues the paid leave program is financially unsustainable and unfair to workers, especially lower-income earners. He opposes raising premiums and instead supports reducing benefits and tightening eligibility to control costs.
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AUDIO: Attacks on signature gatherers prompt new bill from Sen. Jeff Wilson

Published on October 03, 2025
A state senator wants to stop the increasing attacks on signature gatherers involved in initiatives and referendums, from heated arguments to physical clashes. Tracy Ellis has more.
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Speech, Civility, and the Cost of Silence

Published on September 25, 2025
In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Senator John Braun confronts political violence and defends free speech on college campuses. He also unpacks Washington’s soaring gas prices. A deep dive into civil discourse, climate policy, and government accountability.
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News from the Caucus

April 27, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: Legislative Democrats ignore the advice of many and raise $12.5 billion in taxes just for the operating budget

Session ends with long debate on $77.9 billion operating budget   After long and heated debate, the majority passed the 2025-27 operating budget without a single Senate Republican vote. The document, which was released Saturday for a Sunday vote, is more than 1,300 pages long and spends nearly $80 billion over the next four years....
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April 23, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: No word on the budget, but plenty of taxes to go around

Silence: Still no word on budget negotiations How much will the 2025-27 operating budget increase state spending and taxes?     How much will the 2025-27 operating budget increase state spending and taxes?   That’s a good question. We’re not sure yet what the full scope of the budget and its taxes will be because...
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April 18, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: Even MORE tax bills are moving forward – VOTING SATURDAY 4-19

Republicans provide a no-new-tax budget option Democrats ignore our fiscally sound approach   It’s official. The Senate Republican operating budget proposal known as $ave Washington is now an official bill and could easily be adopted by the Legislature. Senate Bill 5810 does not rely on ANY new or higher taxes. It also does not make...
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March 21, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: Democrats announce nearly $20 billion in new and higher taxes

Republican budget leaders on Senate Democrats’ record-setting tax package “A new kind of March madness”   OLYMPIA… Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, and Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, offered this reaction to the $20 billion, four-year tax package proposed by the Senate’s majority Democrats today, ahead of the anticipated Monday rollout of their 2025-27 operating-budget proposal. From...
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February 13, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

A bill to overregulate wood stoves due to be voted out of committee tomorrow

HELP STOP SENATE BILL 5174 “This is ridiculous overreach!” – 4th LD Constituent Wood-burning stoves are a critical home-heating source for many homeowners across Washington. Rural families depend on them more than those who live in bigger cities. Lower-income families, seniors on a fixed income, and anyone else trying to make ends meet while energy...
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October 24, 2023
John Braun

Broken Inslee promise stalls behavioral-health treatment facility

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...
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