Leadership Blog

In the News

AUDIO: 19TH Legislative District Update: Affordable Housing Solutions: Senator Jeff Wilson’s Kit Homes Bill Passes Senate

Published on January 23, 2026
Senator Jeff Wilson shares exciting news about his bill to promote affordable housing through kit homes. The legislation, which passed unanimously in the Senate, aims to cut through government red tape and make it easier for Washington residents to build their own homes. Senator Wilson explains how this innovative approach can help address the state’s...
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AUDIO: KPQ Legislative Update: Senators Short & Warnick Discuss Budget, Wildfire Funding, and Insurance Challenges

Published on January 22, 2026
Senators Shelly Short and Judy Warnick join KPQ to share insights on Olympia’s short session, budget concerns, wildfire prevention funding, and homeowners insurance issues. They stress fiscal responsibility, bipartisan efforts, and protecting communities from growing wildfire risks.
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Is Democracy Under Attack in Washington?

Published on January 22, 2026
In this episode of *The Elephant in the Dome Podcast*, Senate Republican Leader John Braun is joined by Senators Keith Wagoner and Jeff Wilson to discuss two controversial proposals in Olympia: restrictions on Washington’s initiative process and a bill that could allow unelected boards to remove elected sheriffs. Are these measures protecting democracy—or undermining it?...
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AUDIO: Fortunato bill for rapid replacement of Fairfax Bridge gets a hearing

Published on January 22, 2026
A failed bridge on the road to Mount Rainier needs urgent replacement, according to a state senator. Kelley Payne tells us a proposal to fast-track the emergency replacement of the Fairfax Bridge gets a Senate Transportation Committee hearing next week.
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AUDIO: Is the fourth time a charm? Commonsense child safety bill passes Senate…again

Published on January 22, 2026
How many chances does it take to protect kids from fentanyl? That’s the question in Olympia as the State Senate once again passes a child safety bill aimed at preventing deadly overdoses. Tracy Ellis reports.
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News from the Caucus

A weekly summary of Senate Republican Caucus content, featuring links to videos, radio and podcast appearances, press releases, social media posts, priority bills, and a short list of bad bills to watch.

January 18, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Senate Republican Leader John Braun provides an update on the 2024 Legislative Session

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, 20th Legislative District, shares information about the bills and initiatives before the Washington State Legislature this legislative session. Critical items that would help undo damage done by majority Democrat policies.
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January 18, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Republican leaders support Initiative 2117 to repeal carbon tax, call for public hearings on the measure

Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary released a joint statement today following the certification of Initiative 2117 (Concerning carbon tax credit trading) by the Secretary of State on Tuesday. “Governor Inslee and Democrats misled the public about the costs of the carbon tax on working families, farmers and small businesses. Now...
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January 17, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Democrat bill (SB 5770) triples increase in property tax rate

Governments in Washington now can collect 1% more annually in property tax without having to seek voter approval. SB 5770 would allow that increase to be as much as 3%. This is forecast to raise taxes by $12 billion over the next 10 years.
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January 16, 2024
John Braun

Bill on Holocaust, genocide education to receive Senate hearing tomorrow

OLYMPIA…A bill from Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, that would require Washington public schools to teach about the Jewish Holocaust and other campaigns of genocide will receive a public hearing tomorrow (Jan. 17) before the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. The committee meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. Senate Bill 5851, which...
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January 11, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, shares his first weekly 2024 video update from Olympia

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, 20th Legislative District, welcomes you to the 2024 Legislative Session and outlines his top priorities. These include securing a safer Washington, fighting for an affordable Washington, and building a better future for Washington’s children.
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January 09, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO/VIDEO: State Senator Nikki Torres gives the Republican perspective on the 2024 legislative session

In the response to Governor Jay Inslee’s State of the State Address, Republicans say his government has let people down. Cassidy Butler explains. Watch the entire response
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January 08, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Legislators must put priority on considering citizen initiatives no matter what majority Democrats suggest

Each state legislator takes an oath to uphold the state and federal constitutions. That promise applies to every part, not just the words with which we agree – or the words we know. The importance of this commitment came up Jan. 4 at the 2024 legislative session preview hosted by our state’s broadcasters and daily...
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January 08, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Governor continues to scapegoat others for his false claims about carbon tax effect on gas prices

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, today responded to public comments recently made by Gov. Jay Inslee that attempt to divert attention from evidence in a Washington Policy Center blog showing the governor knew it was false to claim his “cap-and-trade” tax on carbon-dioxide emissions would not increase gas prices, or would do so only...
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January 03, 2024
Senate Republican Caucus

Braun guest editorial in the Seattle Times: A sham lawsuit threatens to disenfranchise WA’s Latino voters

By John Braun Special to the Times In 2021 our state’s bipartisan, voter-created Redistricting Commission set Washington’s current legislative and congressional boundaries. In August, a federal judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in Soto Palmer v. Hobbs, who claimed the map of Central Washington’s 15th Legislative District violates the federal Voting Rights Act (VRA)....
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December 20, 2023
John Braun

Braun bill aimed at getting chronically absent students to re-engage with classes, resume path to graduation

OLYMPIA… Chronic absenteeism is among the major obstacles preventing Washington children from recovering from pandemic-related learning loss. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, has introduced legislation to help school administrators, teachers and parents get students to show up to school and take part in class. Senate Bill 5850 would provide support for students who are...
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December 15, 2023
John Braun

Poor awareness, rise in antisemitism necessitates more education about Jewish Holocaust of WWII

Bipartisan bill would make K-12 curriculum Nazi genocide of Jews mandatory   OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, and Sen. Jesse Salomon, D-Shoreline, pre-filed a bill today (Senate Bill 5851) for the 2024 legislative session that would make it mandatory for Washington’s K-12 public schools to teach the Jewish Holocaust curriculum developed by the Office...
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December 15, 2023
Jeff Wilson

Wilson proposal would revitalize ‘Sunshine Committee,’ emphasize public records issues

Bill is part of plan to streamline disclosure, make transparency a priority OLYMPIA – Responding to complaints that the Washington Legislature doesn’t care about public records issues, Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, has introduced a bill that aims to revitalize the state’s ‘Sunshine Committee.’ Senate Bill 5779 is the first element in a Wilson plan to...
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