News from the Caucus

Did Washington’s emergency powers reform just get watered down? The state senator leading the charge says yes. Tracy Ellis reports.

CORRECTION: The original version of this Newsflash incorrectly quoted the proposed mileage tax at 26 cents per mile. The correct tax rate per mile is 2.6 cents per mile. The article below has been corrected to reflect the 2.6 cent rate.   IN THE NEWS: Emergency powers reform During the pandemic, former Gov. Jay Inslee...

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.

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...

Washington State Senate Republicans are launching a robust effort to tackle the housing affordability crisis. Tracy Ellis explains.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...