News from the Caucus

CENTRALIA… Efforts to build a behavioral-health treatment facility in Lewis County are being pushed back another six months by what Lewis County lawmakers say is another broken promise from Gov. Jay Inslee’s administration. Sen. John Braun and Rep. Peter Abbarno, both R-Centralia, are particularly frustrated because the governor’s office assured them an important cost-saving change...

State Sen. Mark Schoesler issued this statement following this morning’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy that it will provide $1 billion to Washington, Oregon and Montana to establish eight hydrogen production sites across the three states: “This would not happen without hydropower. Our state has a strong and reliable hydropower system that provides...

We strongly urge you to demonstrate Washington’s support for the people of Israel by flying their flag at the state Capitol and directing that all Washington state flags be flown at half-staff. The surprise attack by HAMAS on Saturday, Oct. 7 resulted in the largest loss of Jewish lives in a single day since the...

OLYMPIA… While raking in more than $1 billion from the carbon-pricing program that is behind Washington’s crushingly high fuel prices, the state Department of Ecology isn’t being fully open about who is buying and holding the carbon credits. A state senator says that has to change. The state’s Climate Commitment Act requires Ecology to post...

As Legislature takes a break, we’re getting ready to hit the ground running in January Note: This e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Jeff Wilson’s subscribers Oct. 4, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Wilson’s e-newsletters, click here. Dear Friends and Neighbors, They say the summer and fall months are the slow season for Washington lawmakers. We...

Statement from Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican Deputy Leader Mike Steele: “The Legislature should perform its civic duty and call a special session for the purpose of reconvening the Redistricting Commission. The court invited this course of action, which is fully supported by the Senate and House Republican caucuses. “Our state’s fair...

When war broke out in the Ukraine, I sponsored a $19 million budget amendment to support Ukrainian refugees in Washington state. Now it’s time to ask – how are we doing? Note: The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Chris Gildon’s subscribers Sept. 25, 2023. To subscribe to Sen. Gildon’s e-newsletters, click here. Ukrainian refugees...

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun shared the following comments on the heels of two recent court decisions saying Washington’s legislative district maps, which were created by the Washington State Redistricting Commission during the 2022 redistricting process and went into effect this year, must be redrawn for the 15th Legislative District. The judge in Soto-Palmer v....

Sen. Curtis King, Republican leader on the Senate Transportation Committee, said the state’s latest carbon-pricing auction will cause gasoline prices to continue rising, further hurting Washington drivers and businesses. This will also raise the prices for all things being shipped, which is about every item consumers use, further adding to high inflation. “Since the carbon...

July 27, 2023 Secretary of State Steve Hobbs Legislative Building 416 Sid Snyder Avenue SW Olympia, WA 98501 Attorney General Bob Ferguson 1125 Washington Street SE Olympia, WA 98504   Dear Secretary Hobbs and Attorney General Ferguson: We write with great concern about a potential threat to the integrity of the democratic process here in...

Sen. Curtis King, the ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee, said Gov. Jay Inslee is trying to deflect criticism aimed at him due to the major role that the state’s cap-and-trade program has played in Washington having the highest gas prices in the nation. Inslee announced today that he wants legislation in 2024 targeting...

Inslee’s cap and trade program gives Washington the most expensive gasoline in the nation Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, Republican lead on the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, responded Thursday to a proposal from Gov. Jay Inslee targeting what he calls ‘monster profits” by oil refiners. Inslee was the prime mover behind cap and trade...