Leadership Blog

In the News

AUDIO: Despite signing of anti-parents’ rights bill, ‘this isn’t over,’ says Dozier

Published on May 21, 2025
A state Senator is frustrated after the governor signed a new law that overrides Washington’s 2024 parental-rights protections. Tracy Ellis reports.
Read More

AUDIO: Senate Republicans react to Ferguson signing largest tax increase in state history

Published on May 20, 2025
Governor Bob Ferguson made big promises about fiscal responsibility, but today, Senate Republicans say he threw those promises out the window. Tracy Ellis reports.
Read More

AUDIO/PHOTOS: Sens. Mark Schoesler, Nikki Torres, and Perry Dozier on KONA Radio

Published on May 16, 2025
Senators Mark Schoesler, Nikki Torres, and Perry Dozier discuss the latest budget decisions, tax policies, and housing challenges impacting Eastern Washington. They highlight bipartisan efforts, concerns over rising costs, and the potential for a special legislative session. LISTEN  
Read More

AUDIO: Braun: Tragic fentanyl-related death of Puyallup child shows continued need for stronger child-endangerment laws

Published on May 13, 2025
A five-year-old Puyallup boy died from fentanyl exposure in his own home—a tragedy the State Senate Republican Leader says should never happen. Tracy Ellis reports.
Read More

AUDIO: Sen. John Braun Talks Budget, Campus Protests & Leadership with KVI’s Ari Hoffman

Published on May 08, 2025
On KVI, Sen. John Braun joins Ari Hoffman to discuss Washington’s budget concerns, campus protests at UW, and Democratic silence on antisemitism. He critiques overspending, calls for accountability, and urges leadership to address rising tensions. A candid conversation on pressing state issues.
Read More

News from the Caucus

March 04, 2022
Senate Republican Caucus

Follow Oregon’s example – end state-employee vaccine mandate, say Republican leaders

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, shared the following reaction to the announcement from Oregon Gov. Kate Brown that she is rescinding her vaccine mandate for nearly 40,000 state workers. Brown is quoted in Oregon’s largest newspaper as saying “extraordinary emergency” orders are no longer necessary as “we...
Read More
March 03, 2022
Jeff Wilson

Kreidler needs to resign, says Sen. Jeff Wilson

Reports of staff abuse are last straw, says ranking member of State Government committee OLYMPIA – Staff complaints of abusive behavior from Washington’s insurance commissioner are the latest in a series of incidents that warrant Mike Kreidler’s resignation, says Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. Staff reports allege the hot-tempered Kreidler frequently makes snide remarks and belittles...
Read More
February 28, 2022
Senate Republican Caucus

Inslee shouldn’t assign motives to legislators who dare to question him

Governor should loosen grip, trust the people, be more inclusive in pandemic decisions, says Braun   OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered the following reaction to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement and accusations during his news conference earlier today.   “No governor has exerted emergency powers during this pandemic as long as Governor Inslee. Tomorrow marks...
Read More
February 28, 2022
Senate Republican Caucus

Republican leaders: End statewide mask mandate, state of emergency today

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, released the following comments upon hearing that Gov. Jay Inslee will announce that Washington’s statewide mask mandate will end March 12 – about a week earlier than planned. The governor has given no indication, however, that he plans to end the state...
Read More
February 22, 2022
Senate Republican Caucus

Democrats’ budgets treat taxpayers harshly, Republican leaders say

$15 billion surplus more than enough to fund meaningful tax relief   OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, expressed their deep disappointment in the Senate and House 2021-23 supplemental budgets after they were released Monday. “We’re stunned at the continuing inability or unwillingness of the Democratic majorities to...
Read More
February 17, 2022
Senate Republican Caucus

Legislative Republican leaders: Don’t wait another month to end state mask mandates

OLYMPIA…Legislative Republican leaders had the following to say after Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that the statewide indoor mask mandate and the mask mandate for students in grades K-12 will end on March 21. Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm: “We stand by what we said last week: It’s time to end...
Read More
February 09, 2022
Senate Republican Caucus

Republican leaders: Democrats’ transportation plan misses mark by costing people more

OLYMPIA…Legislative Republican leaders issued the following statement in response to the $16 billion transportation package released this week by majority Democrats. The plan was developed without input from Republicans.   From Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Rep. J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm: “The Democrats’ plan is disappointing, not so much because of what it would do but...
Read More
February 09, 2022
Senate Republican Caucus

Braun hopeful governor announces end to statewide mask mandate

UPDATE: In reaction to Gov. Jay Inslee’s announcement today that Washington would not yet repeal its statewide indoor mask mandate, Sen. John Braun released the following response as an update to his earlier statement.   “It’s very disappointing that the governor chose only to announce an end to the outdoor mask mandate – something most...
Read More
February 02, 2022
John Braun

Senate majority passes ‘unconscionable’ bill that would let murderers, rapists pursue quicker release from prison

OLYMPIA… Under Senate Bill 5036, passed today by the Senate’s Democratic majority,  128 offenders now serving time for aggravated murder or first-degree murder would immediately become eligible to apply for commutation of their sentences. Another 68 such offenders would be eligible to seek commutation within the next five years. An additional 321 inmates sentenced to...
Read More
February 01, 2022
John Braun

Only fix for problematic long-term care tax is repeal, says Braun

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun introduced Senate Bill 5965, which would repeal the wildly unpopular long-term care trust program referred to as “Washington Cares.” It would also repeal the taxes employees are required to pay through payroll deductions. More than 400,000 people applied for exemptions to the plan – a number that would have been...
Read More
January 17, 2022
John Braun

Proposal to slash in-person schooling alarming, says Braun

One day a week of remote schooling without teacher contact a huge mistake OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered the following reaction upon hearing Senate Bill 5735, which would allow up to one day a week of school to be held remotely on a permanent basis, will receive a hearing Wednesday. The bill, which codifies...
Read More
January 13, 2022
Senate Republican Caucus

Tax relief critical as higher prices crush working families

Tax relief critical as higher prices crush working families  Republican leaders say Inslee is wrong — tax relief is sustainable, deserved   OLYMPIA…Legislative Republican leaders released the following statement in response to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics that inflation in the United States has risen to 7%, increasing at the...
Read More
1
...
24 25 26 27
28
29 30 31 32
...
42