Leadership Blog

In the News

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Democrat Taxes, Taxes, and more Taxes and Rent Control

Published on April 19, 2025
Senate Republican Leader John Braun, on “The Elephant in the Dome,” criticized Democrats’ $18 billion tax proposals, including property and sales tax hikes. He warned of economic risks, business exodus, and fiscal mismanagement. Braun also discussed rent control and transparency concerns in budgeting.
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AUDIO: Senate Democrats approve first wave of massive tax hikes; an ‘expensive day for the taxpayers,’ say Republican budget leaders

Published on April 19, 2025
State Senate Democrats just approved a wave of Easter weekend tax hikes, including a sales-tax increase and new taxes on self-storage rentals. Tracy Ellis reports.
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AUDIO: House Democrats fumble justice-reform bill, leaving juvenile-justice facilities in crisis

Published on April 17, 2025
Democrats missed a critical chance to address overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities, according to the state Senate Republican Leader. Tracy Ellis reports.
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AUDIO: On ‘Tax Day,’ Senate Democrats propose billions more in tax increases

Published on April 15, 2025
On Tax Day (Tuesday), State Senate Democrats unveil a sweeping tax package that would likely cost you and everyone you know more to live in Washington. You can comment at a Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing scheduled for 5:30 tomorrow (Wednesday). Tracy Ellis has more.
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AUDIO: Week 13 Legislative Session Update with Senate Republican Leader John Braun

Published on April 12, 2025
State Senate Democrats are pushing to scrap the one percent cap on property tax growth, opening the door for taxes to skyrocket with inflation. A Democrat rent control bill from the House cleared the Senate and now heads back to the House for further consideration. Senator Braun speaks out against both measures.
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News from the Caucus

January 15, 2019
Senate Republican Caucus

Schoesler and Warnick welcome appointment of Ybarra to 13th District vacancy

On the first day of the 2019 legislative session, commissioners from Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln and Yakima counties appointed longtime Quincy resident Alex Ybarra to the state House of Representatives to fill a vacant seat in the delegation. Ybarra was immediately sworn in upon appointment and will join Sen. Judy Warnick and Rep. Tom Dent as...
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December 14, 2018
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Republican Caucus announces 2019 Committee Assignments

The Washington State Senate Republican Caucus announces its 2019 Standing Committee assignments, which were finalized today:   2019 SRC Standing Committees List   Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources & Parks (4D/3R) Warnick* Honeyford Short   Early Learning & K-12 Education (7D/4R) Hawkins* Holy Padden Wagoner   Energy, Climate & Technology (6D/3R) Ericksen* Brown Sheldon   Environment...
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November 17, 2018
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Republicans Announce 2019 Leadership

OLYMPIA…The Washington State Senate Republican Caucus announces its 2019 leadership, which it elected today:   Leader:   Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville Caucus Chair:   Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville Floor Leader:   Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy Whip:   Sen. Ann Rivers, R-La Center Deputy Leader:   Sen. Sharon Brown, R-Kennewick Caucus Vice Chair:   Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake Deputy Floor Leader: ...
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November 15, 2018
Senate Republican Caucus

Episode 5 – Affordable Housing & Homelessness Package

The views expressed by individual members are not necessarily those of the entire caucus.
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November 15, 2018
Senate Republican Caucus

Episode 4 – Mental Health Package

The views expressed by individual members are not necessarily those of the entire caucus.
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November 13, 2018
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Republicans’ plan addresses affordable-housing problem in Washington

Legislation focuses on increasing supply of housing to help reduce homelessness Senate Republicans announced today they will introduce a package of bills in 2019 to address one of the main causes of Washington’s homelessness problem: the lack of affordable and available housing. At a news conference held at Quixote Village, an Olympia-based community of 30...
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November 13, 2018
Mark Schoesler

Schoesler: We must redouble our efforts to keep Amazon jobs in Washington

Senate Republican leader concerned for retail leviathan’s future investment in local job growth OLYMPIA…Amazon’s announcement today of two locations – New York City and Arlington, Virginia – as the homes for new headquarters ends the long and closely watched search for its next wave of investment and employment. The decision also begins a new conversation...
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August 30, 2018
John Braun

Students are now missing school, statewide officials absent

For one week and counting top state officials have been unresponsive to a request from Sen. John Braun to help prevent school closures. On Aug. 24 the Senate Republican budget leader sent a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal requesting they take an active...
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July 13, 2018
Mark Schoesler

Senate Republican leader concerned over ‘representation fees’ in third inquiry to Governor over changes in union dues

OLYMPIA… After receiving no direct response from the Governor, Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler sent a third letter July 12, requesting clarification from Gov. Jay Inslee on how Washington plans to address changes to union dues collections. “I’m concerned that there are conversations happening behind closed doors to circumvent the Supreme Court decision, including discussions...
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July 10, 2018
Mark Schoesler

Schoesler letter to governor sheds light on troubling union practices in wake of Janus decision

OLYMPIA…In a letter delivered Monday to Gov. Jay Inslee, Sen. Mark Schoesler called attention to guilt and scare tactics used by a state-worker union toward a member wanting to end salary deductions for unwanted union membership. Such deductions are now illegal under last month’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Janus v. American Federation of State,...
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June 12, 2018
Mark Schoesler

Despite welcome repeal of Seattle’s ‘head tax,’ Senate Republicans will continue fight on behalf of working families

OLYMPIA…Today the Seattle City Council repealed the “head tax” it unanimously enacted less than a month ago despite widespread and deafening opposition. Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, and Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-University Place, responded to the repeal by reinforcing their determination to continue with legislation that would clearly make such a tax illegal statewide...
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June 06, 2018
Mark Schoesler

Schoesler says Republican senators will work to ensure Washington remains best place for aerospace

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, today offered this response to the governor’s announcement Wednesday that highlighted a study characterizing Washington as the best place in the world to build airplanes: “I’m pleased but not surprised that the study unveiled today supports my belief that our state offers many advantages for the aerospace industry,...
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