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OLYMPIA…Today, majority Democrats in the Washington State Senate passed a misguided rent-control bill they claim will address the state’s critical shortage of affordable housing. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, voted against House Bill 1217, as did his Republican colleagues. Braun shared this reaction to the vote: “We all agree that rents across our state...

State Senate Democrats are pushing to scrap the one percent cap on property tax growth, opening the door for taxes to skyrocket with inflation. Senate Republicans call it reckless, saying it would hit homeowners and renters hard. Tracy Ellis has more.

Compelling stories about how SB 5798 will hurt real people   We had a very successful news conference this morning to oppose Senate Bill 5798, which would remove the 1% cap on the annual allowable growth rate by which state and local governments can increase your property taxes without voter approval.   Watch the full...

“Regular people” will share personal impacts of bill to remove cap from annual property tax growth rate   OLYMPIA — The Washington State Senate Republican Caucus will hold a news conference to oppose continued efforts by majority Democrats to eliminate the 1% cap on the annual growth of state and local property taxes. Community members...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, and Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature OLYMPIA… Sen. Matt Boehnke, Rep. April Connors, and Rep. Stephanie Barnard are championing critical 8th District investments included in the proposed 2025-27 House and Senate capital budgets. Both proposals must still be reconciled before final approval by the Legislature and...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Sen. Matt Boehnke’s bill to strengthen Washington’s election security was endorsed yesterday by the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee, moving the proposal one step closer to a full House vote. Senate Bill 5014 would expand the Secretary of State’s oversight of election equipment and platforms,...

    “Sometimes we need to tell our friends hard truths.” Earlier this week, the governor announced at a press conference that he will not sign any version of an operating budget that does not meet the following requirements: Protects the “rain-day fund” Is based on realistic revenue projections Minimizes new investments Includes savings and...

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… A House committee has unanimously endorsed legislation from Sen. Keith Goehner that would make it simpler for water-sewer districts to offload surplus property. “Senate Bill 5467 is a common-sense update that ensures our water-sewer districts can operate more efficiently without unnecessary bureaucratic delays,” said Goehner, R-Dryden. “By adjusting...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… British Columbia’s government has announced the swift repeal of its consumer carbon tax, drawing praise from Sen. Matt Boehnke, lead Republican on the state Senate’s energy committee. “British Columbia’s leadership has finally acknowledged what conservatives have been saying for years: carbon taxes harm working families and do...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… The greenest of the pro-agriculture legislation introduced by Sen. Matt Boehnke at the Capitol this year, which has to do with Washington’s turf-seed industry, has moved another step forward in the state Legislature. Senate Bill 5074 is aimed at updating regulations about the sale and distribution of...

Senator John Braun shares his thoughts on some of Washington’s statewide leaders in this episode of “The Elephant in the Dome.” From the Treasurer’s warnings about the rainy day fund to the Governor’s cautious stance on taxation and spending, the discussion highlights key policy debates. Plus, criticism of the Attorney General’s litigious approach and its...

The Senate Republican Budget Lead is applauding Governor Bob Ferguson for echoing public outcry against excessive taxes and staying true to his word Tracy Ellis reports.