Leadership Blog

In the News

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast – Out of Order – When Politics Turn Violent and Budgets Break

Published on July 01, 2025
Following the tragic act of political violence in Minnesota, Washington Senate Republican Leader John Braun urges bipartisan condemnation of all violence. He also warns of looming budget shortfalls after a sobering revenue forecast, criticizes tax hikes, and argues that unsustainable spending threatens essential services.
Read More

AUDIO: Sen. Chris Gildon on KVI’s Ari Hoffman Show – Budget “Reckless,” Ferguson “Caved to the Left”

Published on June 26, 2025
Washington’s budget is “$3.50 from disaster,” says Sen. Chris Gildon on KVI’s Ari Hoffman Show. Gildon slams the Legislative Democrats’ spending and Gov. Ferguson’s record tax hikes after new forecasts show a looming shortfall.
Read More

AUDIO: Sen. Chris Gildon on the Lars Larson Show – Budget Barely Misses Iceberg

Published on June 25, 2025
Sen. Chris Gildon joins Lars Larson to unpack Washington’s shaky budget outlook, blasting record tax hikes and warning of looming shortfalls despite billions in new revenue. “It didn’t have to be this way,” he says.
Read More

AUDIO: New revenue forecast is ‘near-miss’ but big trouble may be ahead, says Republican budget leader

Published on June 24, 2025
A near financial disaster is looming in Washington State. Tracy Ellis reports.
Read More

Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Washington’s Health Care Crisis: Hospital Closures & Hidden Costs

Published on June 17, 2025
Hospitals across Washington are hurting, clinics are shutting down, and costs are skyrocketing. In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, state senators break down the crisis hitting our health care system—from new taxes impacting hospitals to hidden costs that could drive up insurance premiums for families. What role does government play in this growing...
Read More

News from the Caucus

March 15, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

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

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
Read More
March 15, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Balancing Budgets and Defying New Taxes: Sen. Chris Gildon’s Vision for Washington on The Jason Rantz Show

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.
Read More
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,...
Read More
March 14, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: State Senate Republican Leadership Update with Senator John Braun…

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.
Read More
March 14, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: A budget proposal with no new taxes, no drastic cuts

  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...
Read More
March 14, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Senate passes Boehnke bill making emissions data more timely

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… In a landmark move to require more accountability from climate-related policies and programs, the Senate passed legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke that would transition the state from biennial to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting. Senate Bill 5036 would provide a more current snapshot of Washington’s emissions,...
Read More
March 12, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

Sen. Chris Gildon Explains Senate Republican Budget Plan on KVI

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.
Read More
March 12, 2025
John Braun

Braun: Slashing teacher bonuses unwise, unnecessary

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...
Read More
March 11, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Senate unanimously passes Braun bill to improve safety, reduce overcrowding in juvenile facilities

Washington’s juvenile justice facilities are overcrowded and dangerous — but a bill that just passed the state Senate could help. Tracy Ellis explains.
Read More
March 11, 2025
John Braun

Senate Unanimously Passes Braun Bill to Improve Safety, Reduce Overcrowding in Juvenile Facilities

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...
Read More
March 11, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: ‘$ave Washington’ budget would fund shared priorities without raising taxes

Serious, smart, and making government work better – that’s how Senate Republicans describe their new spending plan. Tracy Ellis reports.
Read More
March 09, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: Good and bad bills still alive and moving forward

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...
Read More
1
...
6 7 8 9
10
11 12 13 14
...
42