Leadership Blog

In the News

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast – Out of Order – When Politics Turn Violent and Budgets Break

Published on July 01, 2025
Following the tragic act of political violence in Minnesota, Washington Senate Republican Leader John Braun urges bipartisan condemnation of all violence. He also warns of looming budget shortfalls after a sobering revenue forecast, criticizes tax hikes, and argues that unsustainable spending threatens essential services.
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AUDIO: Sen. Chris Gildon on KVI’s Ari Hoffman Show – Budget “Reckless,” Ferguson “Caved to the Left”

Published on June 26, 2025
Washington’s budget is “$3.50 from disaster,” says Sen. Chris Gildon on KVI’s Ari Hoffman Show. Gildon slams the Legislative Democrats’ spending and Gov. Ferguson’s record tax hikes after new forecasts show a looming shortfall.
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AUDIO: Sen. Chris Gildon on the Lars Larson Show – Budget Barely Misses Iceberg

Published on June 25, 2025
Sen. Chris Gildon joins Lars Larson to unpack Washington’s shaky budget outlook, blasting record tax hikes and warning of looming shortfalls despite billions in new revenue. “It didn’t have to be this way,” he says.
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AUDIO: New revenue forecast is ‘near-miss’ but big trouble may be ahead, says Republican budget leader

Published on June 24, 2025
A near financial disaster is looming in Washington State. Tracy Ellis reports.
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Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Washington’s Health Care Crisis: Hospital Closures & Hidden Costs

Published on June 17, 2025
Hospitals across Washington are hurting, clinics are shutting down, and costs are skyrocketing. In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, state senators break down the crisis hitting our health care system—from new taxes impacting hospitals to hidden costs that could drive up insurance premiums for families. What role does government play in this growing...
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News from the Caucus

April 17, 2025
Keith Goehner

ALERT: New tax blitz coming against working families and job creators

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… On Tax Day, as Washingtonians paid their federal income taxes, Senate Democrats introduced a set of sweeping tax proposals totaling more than $12 billion, despite Senate Republicans presenting a balanced budget with no tax increases (SB 5810). These proposed taxes continue to put us down the path of...
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April 17, 2025
John Braun

House Democrats fumble justice-reform bill, leaving juvenile-justice facilities in crisis

OLYMPIA… On the final day for Senate bills to be considered by the House of Representatives, the majority Democrats in the House — including the Speaker of the House — fumbled a critical opportunity to alleviate dangerous overcrowding in Washington’s juvenile-justice facilities, leaving both residents and staff members in crisis. Senate Republican Leader John Braun,...
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April 15, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: On ‘Tax Day,’ Senate Democrats propose billions more in tax increases

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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April 15, 2025
Chris Gildon

On ‘Tax Day,’ Senate Democrats propose billions more in tax increases

OLYMPIA… As Washingtonians mark Tax Day, Olympia is seeing a second wave of tax proposals from the state Senate’s majority Democrats, to go with the $21 billion in new and higher taxes wrapped into the operating-budget proposal they endorsed two weeks ago. The majority’s new tax legislation emerged today – coincidentally on the same day...
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April 15, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

ALERT: Democrats double down on new/higher taxes for just in time for Tax Day – What’s it going to cost you?

    Addition of even MORE taxes will double what you’ll pay!   In response to the record opposition to the BILLIONS in new and higher taxes Democrats plan to implement this year, they decided to DOUBLE DOWN by more than doubling the number of tax proposals. Let’s take a closer look: A new property...
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April 15, 2025
Keith Goehner

Goehner bill to promote responsible growth awaits governor’s signature

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Legislation sponsored by Sen. Keith Goehner to support counties in updating their land-use policies has received final approval from the Legislature and is now headed to the governor for consideration. Senate Bill 5558 would grant 10 counties—including Chelan and Douglas—an extra six months to review and update their...
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April 14, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Sowing stability: Boehnke’s turf-seed bill nears finish line

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Legislation sponsored by Sen. Matt Boehnke to support Washington’s turf-seed industry has passed both chambers of the Legislature and now heads to the governor’s desk for final consideration. Senate Bill 5074 would establish updated regulations for selling and distributing turf seed grass, providing greater contract security, promoting...
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April 14, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Boehnke’s college-access legislation headed to governor

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… On April 10, the state House of Representatives approved legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke that is intended to make college or a technical school more accessible for Washington students. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for further consideration. Senate Bill 5543 would extend eligibility for...
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April 14, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Boehnke’s greenhouse gas-reporting bill unanimously clears House

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… As Republican leader on the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee, Sen. Matt Boehnke has worked hard to improve the state’s energy policy. His bill to improve the state’s climate-data reporting is headed for the late-session step known as “concurrence” after receiving a second unanimous vote, this...
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April 14, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Boehnke denounces education bill, calls it ‘a Trojan Horse of state overreach’

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature OLYMPIA… Friday, Sen. Matt Boehnke voiced strong opposition to the Senate majority’s approval of House Bill 1296, calling the legislation “a direct assault on parental authority and local control in education.” The bill would significantly expand the power of the state’s superintendent of public instruction to investigate and...
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April 14, 2025
Keith Goehner

Goehner opposes second bill aimed at undermining popular parental-rights law

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… State Sen. Keith Goehner today raised serious concerns about the Senate majority’s support of House Bill 1296, criticizing the measure as an unwarranted expansion of state authority that would sideline parents and erode local oversight in education. Goehner, R-Dryden, issued this statement following the Senate vote: “This legislation...
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April 12, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Week 13 Legislative Session Update with Senate Republican Leader John Braun

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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