News from the Caucus

A decade after the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus led a historic effort to cut tuition and restore affordability in higher education, Washington Democrats are now pushing legislation to undo that important progress, and increase costs for working and middle-class families. Senate Republican leaders are calling out the financial harm Senate Bill 5785 would cause to...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… The state Senate should have held off Tuesday on considering a bill that would overhaul several state environmental laws in ways that are likely to discourage economic development, said Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick. “Democrats and Republicans agree this is a very complex bill – but that doesn’t...

Republican lawmakers in Olympia discuss key legislative priorities. Topics include public safety funding, tax proposals, budget concerns, and controversial bills on rent control, gun laws, and reproductive rights and gender affirming care. They oppose tax increases and the use of the rainy-day fund. Spirited debates are expected ahead.

Today the Senate unanimously approved legislation from Sen. Keith Wagoner that would expand the number of available long-term care beds for veterans, simultaneously helping to address Washington’s homelessness crisis while also alleviating the pressure on the medical foster home system. “So many of our nation’s men and women in uniform serve and sacrifice for this...

Republican Senators John Braun and Chris Gildon break down Washington’s budget debate, tackling spending concerns, new taxes, and the state’s $6.7B shortfall. Can lawmakers solve it without raising costs for families? Get the inside scoop on fiscal responsibility in Olympia!

Senator John Braun gives a legislative update, highlighting the budget process as it heats up. With key decisions looming, Republicans are pushing to control spending without new taxes, aiming to keep costs down while ensuring essential services for Washingtonians.

An anti-parent provision in a bill designed to protect kids online is no longer part of the legislation – thanks to a state Senator. Tracy Ellis explains

An in-depth look at the proposed road usage charge to tax drivers by the mile, pitched as an eventual fuel tax replacement. Interviews with the Ranking Republican Member on the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Curtis King and the Democratic House Transportation Committee Chair.

    LISTEN: Reaction to Gov. Ferguson’s budget plan Democrats want to raise taxes. We want to implement savings and efficiencies. What does Gov. Ferguson want? The new governor held a press conference Thursday to share “savings and efficiencies” he’d like to see incorporated into the budget. Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, is the Senate Republican...

Gov. Bob Ferguson released his cost-cutting ideas, and Senate Republican budget leader Chris Gildon is giving credit—with some skepticism. Tracy Ellis explains.

Senator Chris Gildon reveals that the real deficit is around $6.7 billion—far lower than the $12–16 billion figure Democrats are pushing. The inflated number comes from overspending, including Governor Inslee’s reckless $4 billion in state employee raises without a real feasibility study. Meanwhile, Democrats refuse to consider cuts to wasteful programs, instead insisting on raising...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… The state Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke that is intended to improve the security of Washington’s electoral process. Senate Bill 5014 would strengthen election security by expanding the Secretary of State’s oversight of equipment and platforms used in elections. It also would...