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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

PUYALLUP… The budget leader for the state’s Senate Republicans says the “significant” shortfall anticipated in the next state operating budget by Gov. Bob Ferguson’s administration was completely predictable. Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, offered this reaction to budgeting instructions sent to state agencies that call for reductions without acknowledging Olympia’s chronic overspending: “Republicans repeatedly warned the...

KIRO 7: Longview leaders react to no regulatory inspections of white liquor tanks KOIN 6: Longview community’s future discussed by Senator Jeff Wilson

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.

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...

A state Senator says families deserve an honest talk about why Washington gas prices are some of the highest in America. Tracy Ellis explains.

In the wake of a catastrophic tank collapse that turned deadly, the focus in Longview and in the state legislature is shifting toward the search for answers. Tracy Ellis tells us a Senator wants a full accounting from the state.

A chemical tank ruptured at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging mill in Longview, leaving several dead and injured. State Sen. Jeff Wilson (R-Longview) joined OPB’s Think Out Loud to discuss the tragedy. A Longview native and former hazardous waste management contractor who has worked on-site at the mill for years, Wilson provides a unique perspective on...

In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon and the Washington Policy Center’s Todd Myers break down Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Discover how this “cap-and-tax” law secretly targets your energy bills, driving gas prices up by 55 cents a gallon, and why Republicans are fighting to pause it. TRANSCRIPT

Those who live in Southwest Washington know all too well that the Interstate 5 Bridge over the Columbia River at Vancouver needs to be replaced. In truth, it has needed replacement for years. When lawmakers debated a new bridge 13 years ago, the estimated cost was $3.5 billion. Today, that estimate has ballooned to $14.4...

Thirteen years ago, $3.5 billion would have paid for a whole new Columbia River bridge—today, it only covers the light rail. Tracy Ellis has this update.

Is Washington losing its competitive edge? In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senate Republican Leader John Braun breaks down the affordability crisis hitting our state. From Starbucks’ Nashville expansion and record-breaking tax increases to the stalled progress on the I-5 Columbia River bridge, we examine how current policies are driving families and...