Leadership Blog

In the News

AUDIO: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Senator Short Opposes Sheriff Oversight Bill

Published on February 13, 2026
Senator Shelly Short strongly criticized a bill allowing an unelected commission to determine if elected sheriffs are qualified. She argued this undermines constitutional principles and local representation, warning against bureaucratic overreach that could erode community trust and voter rights in law enforcement leadership.
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AUDIO: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Senator Wilson Warns of Local Control Loss

Published on February 13, 2026
Senator Jeff Wilson condemned Senate Bill 5974, which shifts authority over sheriffs from voters to an unelected board. He highlighted Pacific County as the first likely impacted, calling the measure an “ugly bill” that disregards the will of voters and threatens democratic accountability in policing.
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AUDIO: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Senator Braun Criticizes Sheriff Decertification Plan

Published on February 13, 2026
Senate Republican Leader John Braun opposes legislation enabling a governor-appointed commission to remove elected sheriffs. He emphasizes existing recall and election processes already safeguard accountability, arguing the proposal oversteps constitutional protections and undermines voters’ rights to choose their law enforcement leaders every four years.
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AUDIO: KPQ: Senator Keith Goehner on Key Issues

Published on February 12, 2026
On KPQ, Senator Keith Goehner says an income tax proposal has no guarantee that funds will go to education. He’s concerned over a bill that would let an unelected board remove elected sheriffs. He says expanded powers for the Attorney General raises questions about overreach and impacts on small businesses. He continues to work to...
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AUDIO: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Sen. Mark Schoesler: “Never” on State Income Tax

Published on February 12, 2026
Senator Mark Schoesler speaks out from Olympia as the proposed state income tax moves forward. He reaffirms his long-standing promise to oppose an income tax, explaining why he believes it misleads the public and fails to guarantee funding for health care, K-12 education, or higher education.
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News from the Caucus

February 14, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

UPDATE: An even worse version of the wood stove bill passed out of committee today

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...
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February 13, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: The week ahead in the Legislature Feb. 17-21

TESTIFY FOR EMERGENCY POWERS REFORM TOMORROW State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections 10:30 a.m. in Senate Hearing Room 2 John A. Cherberg Building Capitol Campus, Olympia HOW TO TESTIFY A bill to reform gubernatorial emergency powers will receive a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. in the Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee. Senate...
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February 13, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

A bill to overregulate wood stoves due to be voted out of committee tomorrow

HELP STOP SENATE BILL 5174 “This is ridiculous overreach!” – 4th LD Constituent Wood-burning stoves are a critical home-heating source for many homeowners across Washington. Rural families depend on them more than those who live in bigger cities. Lower-income families, seniors on a fixed income, and anyone else trying to make ends meet while energy...
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February 13, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Senate backs Boehnke bill on quality control for infrastructure projects

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… One of the success stories in Washington state government received the unanimous support of the Washington State Senate, through legislation introduced by Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick. Boehnke’s Senate Bill 5034 would indefinitely extend the work of what’s known as the SYNC team, which comprises representatives from the...
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February 12, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Sen. Braun on Policing, Budget & Emergency Powers

Sen. John Braun updates on a bill to fund new police hires and shift policing culture. He previews budget details and shares Republican savings plans to avoid tax hikes. He also discusses limits on long-term emergency powers.
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February 11, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Legislative Republican Leadership Media Availability: Leaders Oppose Taxes, Push for Public Safety

Washington Republican leaders criticize Democratic policies on crime, taxes, and education, pushing for parental rights, lower costs, and safer communities. They oppose tax hikes, minimum wage increases, and school bond changes while advocating for balanced budgets and accountability.
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February 11, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO/VIDEO: Tell Olympia what you think about balancing emergency powers

Help balance state emergency powers by sharing your thoughts at a crucial Valentine’s Day hearing. Tracy Ellis explains.   AUDIO VIDEO  
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February 10, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Two of Boehnke’s higher-ed bills move forward from committee

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke aimed at improving access to education was endorsed today by the state Senate’s higher-education committee. Committee members, who include Boehnke, supported two of his bills. One is Senate Bill 5542, to accommodate more enrollment in high-school completion programs at community and technical...
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February 10, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: FOX News: America Reports: Sen. John Braun on Parental Rights

Washington State Senate Republican Leader John Braun talks with FOX News’ John Roberts about parental rights.
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February 08, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

Elephant in the Dome Podcast | The Fight for Parental Rights: Senate Bill 5181 Debate and Failing Schools

In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, hosts Tracy Ellis and Laudan Espinoza sit down with Senate Republican Leader John Braun to discuss the controversial Senate Bill 5181. How does this bill impact parental rights in schools? What key amendments were made, and what were rejected? The growing concerns over public education, declining test...
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February 07, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Protecting Parents’ Rights, Kids’ Safety & Fiscal Responsibility with Sen. John Braun

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, 20th LD, shares his weekly legislative update. This week in Olympia, Senate Democrats pass SB 5181 — a bill that undermines the Parents’ Rights Act. Braun’s bill that adds fentanyl to the list of drugs in the child endangerment law passes in the Senate. Recent test scores show our kids...
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February 07, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: K-12 learning loss leaving our kids behind

Recent test scores for Washington’s fourth and eighth graders show that learning loss in K-12 education continues to be a serious problem. This is due to a lasting impact from the pandemic, but it’s also a result of the Legislature forcing ideological content into the curriculum, which takes class time and educator focus away from...
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