Leadership Blog

In the News

AUDIO: Live From Olympia: Legislative Session Wrap‑Up with Sen. Short and Rep. Abell

Published on March 09, 2026
This end‑of‑session discussion with Senator Shelly Short and Representative Hunter Abell covers bill negotiations, budget battles, income‑tax controversy, rural policy impacts, and legislative drama behind the scenes. They address constituent questions, oversight concerns, and key victories while previewing the final days of Washington’s 2026 legislative session.
Read More

AUDIO: House approves Sen. Nikki Torres bill establishing crash prevention zones to address dangerous highways

Published on March 09, 2026
Special crash-prevention zones could soon be created on Washington roads with high numbers of serious crashes. Tracy Ellis explains.
Read More

AUDIO: Sen. Jeff Wilson Highlights Kit Home Legislation in his legislative update

Published on March 07, 2026
Senator Jeff Wilson discusses the passage of his kit‑home bill aimed at improving housing affordability in Washington. He explains how kit homes offer an additional, cost‑effective housing option for families, including ADUs. Wilson emphasizes their long history, ease of assembly, and potential to expand accessible housing choices.
Read More

AUDIO: Conversation with Governor: Braun Discusses Child Safety and Legislative Gridlock in this legislative update

Published on March 07, 2026
Senate Republican Leader John Braun describes his recent meeting with the governor. Braun raises concerns about rising fentanyl‑related child deaths and stalled child‑protection bills in the Legislature. He notes bipartisan Senate support for action but says key House committee members are blocking progress.
Read More

AUDIO: The connection between budget risks and income tax uncertainty: Sen. Schoesler’s legislative update

Published on March 07, 2026
Senator Mark Schoesler outlines concerns about the state’s proposed income tax and the significant differences between budget plans in the Legislature. He warns that relying on one‑time funds, unrealistic growth assumptions, and a likely court challenge creates serious long‑term fiscal risk, leaving future lawmakers accountable for today’s decisions.
Read More
News Categories

News

March 06, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: Proposed income tax still a bad deal for Washington despite House changes, Senate Republicans say

OLYMPIA… Leaders in the Senate Republican Caucus offered these reactions to today’s announcement by Gov. Bob Ferguson that he will support the proposed state income tax if a rewrite suggested by House Democrats is approved. From Senate Republican Leader John Braun, of Centralia: “Washingtonians have voted down an income tax 11 times. That should mean...
Read More
February 27, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: Senate majority passes unsustainable operating budget, rejects reforms that would save taxpayer dollars

OLYMPIA… The Senate’s majority Democrats today adopted a supplemental operating budget that would raid Washington’s rainy-day fund and other accounts to push state spending above $80 billion for the remainder of the 2025-27 biennium. Republican budget leaders are disappointed that billions of dollars are being pulled from one-time sources to support spending far beyond the...
Read More
February 27, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: Senate Democrats pass $80 billion budget – a house of cards built on phantom savings

Senate Democrats passed their $80 billion operating budget Friday — a budget that relies on: The hope that $801 million in appropriated money WON’T actually get spent $114 million in higher taxes, on top of the record $12.3 billion in state and local tax increases last year One-time money: Drains unrestricted reserves by $2.4 billion;...
Read More
February 23, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: Republican leaders on proposed Senate operating budget: Too much spending, wrong priorities, and unsustainable

OLYMPIA… The budget leaders for the state’s Senate Republicans offered this assessment of the supplemental 2025-27 operating budget from majority Democrats, which will have a public hearing this afternoon before the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The proposal would push state spending above the $80 billion mark for the first time and represent an 11.3%...
Read More
February 23, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

BREAKING: Income tax sets another state record for most unpopular bill ahead of hearing in House Finance Committee

Democrats in denial, gaslight opposition to the income tax as “bots” LISTEN: Tracy Ellis tells us more than 100,000 people signed in to oppose the income tax bill ahead of its hearing in the House Finance Committee. OLYMPIA…More than 100,000 Washingtonians made state history this week by signing in to oppose the 9.9% income tax...
Read More
February 19, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Fentanyl, Families, and the Fight for Child Safety

Senator John Braun and Fostering Change Washington’s Jamie Williams discuss stalled child protection bills and the urgent need to update Washington’s child endangerment laws. They explore the fentanyl crisis, legislative roadblocks, and how citizens can push for accountability to protect vulnerable children from drug-exposed environments. Support Senate Bill 5071—contact your legislators today and demand action...
Read More
February 19, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: Republicans continue push for affordability amid wave of tax proposals

OLYMPIA… The agenda for today’s meeting of the Senate Ways and Means Committee has Senate Republican budget leaders suggesting only one party in Olympia is committed to making Washington more affordable. If the seven tax or fee bills on deck for committee votes today all become law, the combined annual cost is estimated at nearly $950...
Read More
February 16, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: Republican leaders on state income tax: unconstitutional, undemocratic, and coming for everyone in Washington

OLYMPIA… Leaders in the state Legislature’s Senate Republican caucus offered these comments following the majority Democrats’ passage of legislation to create a state income tax. Senate Bill 6346 was passed with a 27-22 vote: From Senate Republican Leader John Braun of Centralia: “This income-tax bill clearly goes against our state constitution as well as 90-plus...
Read More
February 12, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Cost of Food: Senators Braun & Muzzall on Affordability & Agriculture

Senators John Braun and Ron Muzzall discuss why Washington’s food prices keep climbing. From labor and fuel costs to taxes and regulations, they reveal how policies impact farmers, grocery stores, and families—and why affordability should be a legislative priority. An illuminating look at the state’s food affordability and agricultural crisis. [TRANSCRIPT]
Read More
1