News from the Caucus
AUDIO: Senator Nikki Torres Discusses Tax Hikes and Education on KVI Radio
Senator Nikki Torres joins Ari Hoffman on KVI Radio to critique proposed school levy increases that are framed as funding for schools. She points out that wealthier districts would benefit more from these levies, while poorer districts might struggle to raise funds or gain voter approval.
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Governor signs Braun bill expanding technical education to 6th graders
OLYMPIA…A bill sponsored by Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, to expand exploratory career and technical education (CTE) to sixth-grade students was signed today by Gov. Bob Ferguson. It will become law 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. Currently, K-12 education funding provides exploratory CTE to students beginning in seventh grade. Exploratory CTE introduces students to a...
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AUDIO: Senator Braun Talks Taxes, Trucks, and Tesla with Lars Larson
On the Lars Larson Show, Sen. John Braun blasts Washington’s scaled-back wealth tax as a legal setup and warns electric truck rules could cripple transport. He questions taxing Tesla’s success and calls for market-based policies—not mandates—from Olympia.
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AUDIO: Democrat legislators still on track for supporting property-tax hikes
The proposed property tax increase hike from State Legislative Democrats is off the table, but concerns remain over a plan to raise the school levy cap. Tracy Ellis reports.
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Boehnke blasts majority party’s triple-tax package: ‘Wrong direction for Washington’
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… In a stark rebuke of the majority party’s latest tax agenda, Sen. Matt Boehnke today issued a statement following the Senate’s passage of three major tax bills—Senate Bill 5813, Senate Bill 5814, and Senate Bill 5794—all of which impose new or expanded tax burdens on Washington residents...
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Democrat legislators still on track for supporting property-tax hikes, just by a different route
Areas outside Seattle will see an increase of nearly 20% next year and 55% over the next 6 years. OLYMPIA…Contrary to news-media reports indicating the Legislature’s majority Democrats have abandoned their push for higher property taxes, House Bill 2049 would still allow significant property-tax increases by raising the cap on local school-district levies, which...
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Democrat Taxes, Taxes, and more Taxes and Rent Control
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
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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Senate Democrats approve first wave of massive tax hikes; an ‘expensive day for the taxpayers,’ say Republican budget leaders
OLYMPIA… Today the Senate majority approved a sales-tax increase that will hit lower- and middle-income families harder, a tax increase that will drive capital out of Washington, and a collection of unrelated tax increases that includes a new tax on self-storage rentals. Sen. Chris Gildon of Puyallup, Senate Republican budget leader, offered this reaction to...
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ALERT: Senate Democrats pass BILLIONS in new taxes Easter weekend
Senate Republicans spent today — Saturday of Easter weekend — fighting against billions of dollars in new and higher taxes proposed by Senate Democrats. Over four years, these tax bills cost taxpayers… SB 5813: $1 billion to $1.5 billion SB 5814: $4.6 billion in state taxes, $2.7 in local taxes SB 5794: $600 million SB...
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NEWSFLASH: Even MORE tax bills are moving forward – VOTING SATURDAY 4-19
Republicans provide a no-new-tax budget option Democrats ignore our fiscally sound approach It’s official. The Senate Republican operating budget proposal known as $ave Washington is now an official bill and could easily be adopted by the Legislature. Senate Bill 5810 does not rely on ANY new or higher taxes. It also does not make...
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AUDIO: House Democrats fumble justice-reform bill, leaving juvenile-justice facilities in crisis
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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