Leadership Blog

In the News

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Democrat Taxes, Taxes, and more Taxes and Rent Control

Published on April 19, 2025
Senate Republican Leader John Braun, on “The Elephant in the Dome,” criticized Democrats’ $18 billion tax proposals, including property and sales tax hikes. He warned of economic risks, business exodus, and fiscal mismanagement. Braun also discussed rent control and transparency concerns in budgeting.
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AUDIO: Senate Democrats approve first wave of massive tax hikes; an ‘expensive day for the taxpayers,’ say Republican budget leaders

Published on April 19, 2025
State Senate Democrats just approved a wave of Easter weekend tax hikes, including a sales-tax increase and new taxes on self-storage rentals. Tracy Ellis reports.
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AUDIO: House Democrats fumble justice-reform bill, leaving juvenile-justice facilities in crisis

Published on April 17, 2025
Democrats missed a critical chance to address overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities, according to the state Senate Republican Leader. Tracy Ellis reports.
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AUDIO: On ‘Tax Day,’ Senate Democrats propose billions more in tax increases

Published on April 15, 2025
On Tax Day (Tuesday), State Senate Democrats unveil a sweeping tax package that would likely cost you and everyone you know more to live in Washington. You can comment at a Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing scheduled for 5:30 tomorrow (Wednesday). Tracy Ellis has more.
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AUDIO: Week 13 Legislative Session Update with Senate Republican Leader John Braun

Published on April 12, 2025
State Senate Democrats are pushing to scrap the one percent cap on property tax growth, opening the door for taxes to skyrocket with inflation. A Democrat rent control bill from the House cleared the Senate and now heads back to the House for further consideration. Senator Braun speaks out against both measures.
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News from the Caucus

October 29, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: State’s response to ballot drop-box arson does nothing to inspire confidence

VANCOUVER…- Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, offered this reaction to the arson that destroyed ballots in a Clark County drop box Monday morning. “The ballot box at Fisher’s Landing that was set on fire early yesterday morning is in my legislative district. Common sense suggests many of the hundreds of ballots that were destroyed were cast...
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October 08, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senator frustrated about bureaucratic delay of school earthquake protections

Tens-of-millions of dollars set aside to protect schools from earthquakes is not getting spent, and state Senator Judy Warnick wants something done about it. The Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is supposed to be distributing the money.
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September 21, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Dan Evans set the standard for political leadership in Washington, Warnick says

Former governor and senator modernized state government, promoted higher education, advocated for the environment and defined what it means to be a Republican OLYMPIA – Dan Evans left such a deep stamp on the state of Washington that people today might have trouble believing one man could accomplish so much, said Senate Republican Caucus Chair...
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September 18, 2024
Matt Boehnke

Boehnke looks to improve rules for siting of power plants

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick OLYMPIA… The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) held a special meeting on September 13 to approve the revised site certification agreement for the controversial Horse Heaven Wind Project. Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, believes the EFSEC’s process to approve the revised site certification agreement (SCA) did not properly account for...
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September 18, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Shortage of public defenders and prosecutors – a criminal justice crisis

Washington’s criminal justice system has a big problem – a shortage of public defenders and prosecutors. Senator Mike Padden, a former judge and the Ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee is the featured guest. Washington Supreme Court justices take testimony on proposed changes to public defender standards – Learn you how you...
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June 04, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Police pursuit, parental rights, income tax laws go into effect

New laws that go into effect this week (June 6) impact police pursuits, parental rights, and income taxes in Washington. Tracy Ellis reports.
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May 16, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Republicans applaud Center For Behavioral Health and Learning opening

Republican senators applaud the opening of the center, stressing its importance amid the opioid crisis. Senator Lynda Wilson highlights the need for both treatment and accountability.
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April 26, 2024
John Braun

Infant fentanyl overdoses warrant felony charges, says Braun

CENTRALIA…Three infants in the Everett area overdosed on fentanyl over four days this week, including a 13-month-old who died. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, shared the following reaction to these preventable tragedies. “It’s completely indefensible when an infant or child gets sick or dies because someone in the household is using deadly drugs such...
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April 15, 2024
John Braun

Right to protest does not include blocking airport access, says Braun

CENTRALIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, released the following statement following the anti-Israel protest that blocked access to SeaTac Airport for several hours today. “People have the right to peaceably protest, but they don’t have the right to put themselves and drivers at risk by blocking access to our busiest airport. I understand that...
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April 11, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Inslee signs Democrat bill to transition largest utility away from natural gas – Gildon breaks down implications

Governor Inslee signed a Democrat bill that he says creates the roadmap and tools for Puget Sound Energy to get out of the natural gas business. What does that mean? Senator Chris Gildon provides a comprehensive explanation of this controversial new law.
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April 08, 2024
John Braun

Braun appalled by Seattle teacher’s blatantly antisemitic comments

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, today shared his reaction to comments made by Seattle school teacher Ian Golash during an interview posted Friday to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. When asked if the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas terrorists on Israeli citizens was justified, Golash responded, “Yes.” As the...
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April 08, 2024
John Braun

Sen. Braun on Sen. Rivers’ decision not to seek reelection: ‘We will deeply miss her leadership and service’

CENTRALIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this response to today’s announcement by Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center, that she will not be seeking a new term as the 18th Legislative District’s state senator: “Having served with Senator Rivers for more than a decade, from a neighboring district, I know how hard she has worked...
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