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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
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News from the Caucus

February 19, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: FOX 13: WA Gov. Ferguson advocates for Sen. Wagoner proposal limiting governor’s emergency powers

Prime sponsor state Senator Keith Wagoner (R-Sedro-Woolley) said the governor should have strong authority to immediately handle an emergency, but the legislature should be able to check that power.
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February 18, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Legislative Republican Leadership Media Availability | Key Issues & Policy Debates

Washington State Republican legislative leaders hold a media availability session, addressing key policy issues, budget concerns, and legislative priorities. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary, and other GOP lawmakers discuss public safety, tax proposals, education funding, and housing legislation. They also share their perspectives on ongoing debates with the Democratic majority...
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February 18, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Senate Republicans introduce 18 bills to address housing crisis

Washington State Senate Republicans are launching a robust effort to tackle the housing affordability crisis. Tracy Ellis explains.
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February 18, 2025
John Braun

Senate committee backs Braun bill to reduce chronic absenteeism

OLYMPIA… A bill introduced by Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, to help school districts address chronic absenteeism has been approved by the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Senate. Senate Bill 5007 is aimed at supporting students at risk of falling behind academically due to excessive...
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February 17, 2025
Jeff Wilson

Former Secretary of State offers timely warning about initiative bill, Wilson says

Former Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed.   Read Sam Reed’s letter here. OLYMPIA – A warning from a former Washington secretary of state ought to give lawmakers second thoughts about a bill that aims to restrict the people’s right of initiative, says Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. Former Secretary of State Sam Reed is warning...
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February 17, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

State government committee passes a bill that would sabotage the citizen-initiative process

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...
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February 17, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Republicans introduce 18 bills to address housing crisis

OLYMPIA… Washington State Senate Republicans today unveiled a bold new housing strategy aimed at tackling the growing housing affordability crisis, partly by making it easier to build homes. The details of the package of legislation called Housing Solutions Washington will be announced at the virtual joint legislative Republican leadership media availability at 9:15 a.m. Viewers...
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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 14, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: State Senate Republican leadership update with Senator John Braun

Sen. Braun critiques Democrat-led taxation policies, arguing that taxes on carbon, innovation, payroll, and manufacturing hurt Washington’s economy. He asserts that Republicans can balance the budget without new taxes and urges bipartisan consideration of economic impacts.
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February 14, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

UPDATE: An even worse version of the wood stove bill passed out of committee today

CHAIR OF THE COMMITTE MAKES SENATE BILL 5174 WORSE The bill that would more tightly regulate wood-burning stoves not only passed out of the Senate’s Environment, Energy and Technology Committee today. It did so with an amendment that makes the bill worse. The amendment to Senate Bill 5174, which was offered by the chair of the...
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February 13, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: The week ahead in the Legislature Feb. 17-21

TESTIFY FOR EMERGENCY POWERS REFORM TOMORROW State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections 10:30 a.m. in Senate Hearing Room 2 John A. Cherberg Building Capitol Campus, Olympia HOW TO TESTIFY A bill to reform gubernatorial emergency powers will receive a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. in the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee. Senate...
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February 13, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

A bill to overregulate wood stoves due to be voted out of committee tomorrow

HELP STOP SENATE BILL 5174 “This is ridiculous overreach!” – 4th LD Constituent Wood-burning stoves are a critical home-heating source for many homeowners across Washington. Rural families depend on them more than those who live in bigger cities. Lower-income families, seniors on a fixed income, and anyone else trying to make ends meet while energy...
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