News from the Caucus

OLYMPIA… The state Senate’s majority Democrats today passed a $78.6 billion operating budget that relies on the largest tax increase in state history, after rejecting the smaller, no-new-taxes, no-cuts budget proposed by Senate Republicans. The “$ave Washington” budget, which doesn’t outspend the state’s anticipated level of revenue, was offered in place of the Democrats’ own...

  OLYMPIA…In a 28-21 vote, the Washington State Senate Democrats today passed their $78.5 billion operating budget proposal, the funding for which relies on the largest tax increase in state history and a raiding of the “rainy-day fund.” Senate Democrats also rejected a striking amendment proposed by Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, that would have substituted...

SAY NO TO THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE   Property tax increase will be heard in the Ways & Means Committee meeting at 4 p.m., Monday, March 31. Don’t let this bill out of committee.   As part of the largest tax increase in Washington state history, the majority wants to remove the 1% cap on...

OLYMPIA… Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, and Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, offered this reaction to the operating budgets proposed today by the Legislature’s majority Democrats. The Senate majority’s plan would spend $78.5 billion in the 2025-27 budget cycle – $3 billion more than the Senate Republican “$ave Washington” proposal – while the corresponding House Democrats’ plan...

  A common-sense budget No new taxes, no drastic cuts       Senate Republicans announced a no-new-taxes budget this week to positive reviews. Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, and Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco, crafted a proof-of-concept budget to show how it’s possible to cover our budget deficit without raising taxes or making drastic cuts. Listen...

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, says Washington teachers don’t deserve to have incentive bonuses cut in half by Democrats. Educators in Washington currently qualify for a bonus for achieving certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. They can receive an additional bonus for teaching in a school that the state classifies as...

OLYMPIA – Legislation from Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, to address overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities and improve safety for both staff and inmates was passed by the Senate unanimously today. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 5278 responds to ongoing issues at institutions like Green Hill School in...

Debates, votes and bad legislation…Oh my!     The eighth week of this session was full of debates and votes on bad bills that made it to the Senate floor. The first bill listed below has passed in the Senate and is now under consideration in the House. The other two bills have yet to...

March 13: 19th LD virtual town hall with Sen. Wilson, Rep. Walsh and Rep. McEntire @ 6:30 p.m. via Zoom (register) 17th LD virtual town hall with Sen. Harris, Rep. Stuebe, and Rep. Waters @6:30 p.m. (register)   March 15: 4th LD Sen. Christian in-person town hall @ 10-11 a.m. at Sun City Church, 1020...

    LISTEN: Reaction to Gov. Ferguson’s budget plan Democrats want to raise taxes. We want to implement savings and efficiencies. What does Gov. Ferguson want? The new governor held a press conference Thursday to share “savings and efficiencies” he’d like to see incorporated into the budget. Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, is the Senate Republican...

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...

HELP STOP SENATE BILL 5382 “This bill is completely absurd and un-American.” – 14th LD constituent The current Secretary of State Steve Hobbs (Democrat) and former Secretary of State Sam Reed (Republican) BOTH oppose SB 5382 and say it would not be good for Washington. Kill this bill. Washington’s initiative process is a vital tool...