News from the Caucus
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Governor’s Inaugural Address, Budget Insights, and Legislative Updates
In this episode of “The Elephant in the Dome,” the official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus, hosts Tracy Ellis and Laudan Espinoza are joined by Senate Republican Leader John Braun. They discuss Governor Bob Ferguson’s inaugural address and some key issues facing legislators. They also touch on the potential for new taxes...
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Gildon says $7.3 million judgment underscores need for agency-oversight bill
OLYMPIA… The state’s failure to deal with water contamination at the Special Commitment Center for sex offenders on McNeil Island has led to a $7.325 million judgment in a class-action lawsuit brought by hundreds of residents of the center. Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, says this is the latest in a long and expensive string of...
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VIDEO: TVW: Inside Olympia: Senate Budget Leaders
An in-depth conversation on the state budget with the lead budget writers in the Senate: The Ways and Means Chair and the ranking Republican on that committee, Chris Gildon. Gildon’s take on how we got here: “The Legislature a few years back basically put a number of bills on layaway, they said we want to...
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VIDEO: Republican leaders find hope and promise in the new Democratic governor’s inaugural address
Republican leaders are cautiously optimistic after Gov. Bob Ferguson’s inaugural speech. Featuring Senators John Braun, Judy Warnick and Drew MacEwen.
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VIDEO: TVW: The Impact 2025 Opening Day Special Edition – Senate Republican Leader John Braun
Impact host Mike McClanahan sits down with Senate Republican Leader John Braun for ten minutes of Q&A about his plans and priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session.
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senate Republican Priorities, Budget Challenges and Transportation Funding
Washington State Association of Broadcasters and Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington legislative session preview Senate Republican Leader John Braun on Senate Republicans’ priorities Senator Chris Gildon on the need to identify the actual budget problem Senator Curtis King making more money from transportation taxes and fees available to transportation projects
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: New Democrat taxes, hiring more law enforcement, repealing sanctuary state status
State Senate Democrats accidentally leak new tax plans. A bill seeks 100 million dollars to help hire more law-enforcement officers. A Senator wants to help illegal immigrants by repealing Washington’s sanctuary state status. Guests include: Sen. Chris Gildon, Sen. Jeff Holy, Sen. Phil Fortunato
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AUDIO: State Senate Democrats accidentally leak new tax plans (See Democrat documents here)
State Senate Democrats accidentally leaked their new tax proposals. Tracy Ellis reports. Democrat Documents: 2025 SDC revenue policy handout – FINAL 2025 Revenue Discussion slides
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Majority Coalition Caucus versus single-party rule
As Democrats prepare for unilateral, supermajority control in Olympia, Republicans recall a more bipartisan era – 12 years ago, when the Majority Coalition Caucus, an historic alliance that ushered in a wave of critical reforms, came into existence.
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Senate Republicans announce committee leadership for 2025 legislative session
OLYMPIA…The Washington State Senate Republican Caucus today announced which of its members will serve as the lead Republicans on Senate policy and budget committees for the 2025-26 legislative term. The full slate of committee assignments will be finalized through a vote by the Senate Rules Committee on the first day of the 2025 legislative session,...
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Senate Republicans announce 2025 caucus leaders
OLYMPIA…Washington Senate Republicans today elected their leadership team for the 2024-25 legislative term. Leader: Sen. John Braun, Centralia Caucus Chair: Sen. Judy Warnick, Ellensburg Floor Leader: Sen. Shelly Short, Addy Whip: Sen. Keith Wagoner, Sedro Woolley Deputy Leader: Sen. Drew MacEwen, Shelton Deputy Caucus Chair: Sen. Ron Muzzall, Oak Harbor Deputy Floor Leader: Sen. Nikki...
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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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