Leadership Blog

In the News

VIDEO: Sen John Braun recaps week 9 of the Legislative Session

Published on March 15, 2025
Sen John Braun recaps week 9 of the Legislative Session, highlighting wins on public safety and housing, and progress on special education funding. He warns against tax increases and stresses the need for better outcomes in K-12 education
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AUDIO: Balancing Budgets and Defying New Taxes: Sen. Chris Gildon’s Vision for Washington on The Jason Rantz Show

Published on March 15, 2025
On the Jason Rantz Show, State Senator Chris Gildon discusses the budget realities facing Washington. With a clear stance against new taxes, Gildon outlines how education funding can be preserved, fiscal responsibility achieved, and collective bargaining agreements reimagined. He emphasizes accountability, innovation, and solutions rooted in economic pragmatism.
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AUDIO: State Senate Republican Leadership Update with Senator John Braun…

Published on March 14, 2025
Budget shortfall and $ave Washington Budget—Senate Republican Leader John Braun explains how the state’s budget shortfall is closer to $6.6 billion—not $15 billion—because of spending choices, not existing services. He outlines a balanced plan with no cuts to K-12 education or vital services for vulnerable residents.
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Sen. Chris Gildon Explains Senate Republican Budget Plan on KVI

Published on March 12, 2025
Sen. Chris Gildon told KVI’s John Carlson that the Senate Republican budget balances without new taxes or major cuts. It preserves teacher bonuses, limits certain program growth, and offers state workers a $5K bonus instead of $4B in raises. Gildon urges public support.
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AUDIO: Senate unanimously passes Braun bill to improve safety, reduce overcrowding in juvenile facilities

Published on March 11, 2025
Washington’s juvenile justice facilities are overcrowded and dangerous — but a bill that just passed the state Senate could help. Tracy Ellis explains.
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News from the Caucus

March 15, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome: Senators Braun and Gildon Discuss the $ave Washington Budget

In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, the official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus, join Senators John Braun and Chris Gildon as they explore the innovative $ave Washington Budget. Discover their “third way” approach to addressing the state’s budget challenges—avoiding heavy taxes or harmful cuts—while focusing on priorities like education,...
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March 07, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Anti-Semitism on Campus, Public Safety, and Washington’s Budget Crisis

On this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator John Braun is joined by KVI radio host Ari Hoffman for a no-holds-barred conversation about rising anti-Semitism on college campuses, the state of public safety in Washington, and the looming budget crisis. They discuss the University of Washington’s handling of campus activism, the challenges of...
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March 01, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Budget Battles & Big Decisions – Senators Braun & Gildon Weigh In

Republican Senators John Braun and Chris Gildon break down Washington’s budget debate, tackling spending concerns, new taxes, and the state’s $6.7B shortfall. Can lawmakers solve it without raising costs for families? Get the inside scoop on fiscal responsibility in Olympia!
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February 22, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Washington Senate Republicans Push for Housing Solutions

In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senate Republican Leader John Braun and Senator Keith Goehner discuss Washington’s housing crisis and the Senate Republican plan to address affordability. They break down the impact of restrictive regulations, the risks of rent control, and why empowering private sector development is key to increasing supply. Tune...
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February 14, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: The Truth About The Road Usage Tax and New Tax Hikes

In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, Washington State Senate Republican Leader John Braun joins Tracy Ellis and Laudan Espinoza to break down the controversial Road Usage Charge proposal. Is this new mileage tax just another burden on hardworking Washingtonians? How will it impact rural communities, low-income drivers, and transportation funding? We also dive...
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February 08, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

Elephant in the Dome Podcast | The Fight for Parental Rights: Senate Bill 5181 Debate and Failing Schools

In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, hosts Tracy Ellis and Laudan Espinoza sit down with Senate Republican Leader John Braun to discuss the controversial Senate Bill 5181. How does this bill impact parental rights in schools? What key amendments were made, and what were rejected? The growing concerns over public education, declining test...
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January 24, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: A Better Future for Washington’s Children

In this episode of “The Elephant in the Dome,” the official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus, hosts Tracy Ellis and Laudan Espinoza sit down with Senate Republican Leader John Braun. They delve into Democrat efforts affecting parental rights, the challenges and opportunities in education funding, and a vision for reimagining The Evergreen...
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January 18, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Governor’s Inaugural Address, Budget Insights, and Legislative Updates

In this episode of “The Elephant in the Dome,” the official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus, hosts Tracy Ellis and Laudan Espinoza are joined by Senate Republican Leader John Braun. They discuss Governor Bob Ferguson’s inaugural address and some key issues facing legislators. They also touch on the potential for new taxes...
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January 10, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senate Republican Priorities, Budget Challenges and Transportation Funding

Washington State Association of Broadcasters and Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington legislative session preview Senate Republican Leader John Braun on Senate Republicans’ priorities Senator Chris Gildon on the need to identify the actual budget problem Senator Curtis King making more money from transportation taxes and fees available to transportation projects
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January 03, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: New Democrat taxes, hiring more law enforcement, repealing sanctuary state status

State Senate Democrats accidentally leak new tax plans. A bill seeks 100 million dollars to help hire more law-enforcement officers. A Senator wants to help illegal immigrants by repealing Washington’s sanctuary state status. Guests include: Sen. Chris Gildon, Sen. Jeff Holy, Sen. Phil Fortunato
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December 11, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Majority Coalition Caucus versus single-party rule

As Democrats prepare for unilateral, supermajority control in Olympia, Republicans recall a more bipartisan era – 12 years ago, when the Majority Coalition Caucus, an historic alliance that ushered in a wave of critical reforms, came into existence.
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October 08, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senator frustrated about bureaucratic delay of school earthquake protections

Tens-of-millions of dollars set aside to protect schools from earthquakes is not getting spent, and state Senator Judy Warnick wants something done about it. The Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is supposed to be distributing the money.
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