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 11, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Democrats pass bill to bully schools, sideline parents

The state Senate Republican Leader accuses Senate Democrats of passing a bill that bullies schools and sidelines parents. Tracy Ellis reports.
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April 11, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: Rent control, an assault on parents’ rights, and the fight against higher property taxes

WATCH: Sen. John Braun telling it like it is on property taxes and rent control     Senate Republican Leader John Braun tells us how it really is with the majority’s effort to: Remove the annual growth rate cap on your property taxes (SB 5798) so government can increase your property taxes by four or...
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April 11, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Boehnke says majority’s rent-control bill will hurt supply of rentals, not help

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature OLYMPIA… Yesterday, Sen. Matt Boehnke voiced serious concerns following the Senate majority’s approval of House Bill 1217, which would cap annual rent increases at 10%. Prior to its passage, the rent-increase cap was lifted from the 7% in the bill adopted by the House, which means HB 1217...
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April 10, 2025
Keith Goehner

Goehner opposes rent-control ‘recipe for disaster’ passed by Senate majority

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Sen. Keith Goehner says the so-called “rent stabilization” measure passed today by Senate Democrats is a failed policy and would have devastating consequences for housing affordability, small landlords, and renters alike. Goehner, R-Dryden and lead Republican on the Senate Housing Committee, issued this statement: “Let’s call it what...
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April 10, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Property Taxes & Rent Control—The Unintended Consequences

Senate Republican Leader John Braun discusses concerns over proposed property tax increases and rent control, featuring voices from homeowners, renters, and landlords. He examines economic impacts, the housing crisis, and the broader effects on businesses and essential services.  
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April 10, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

Rent control is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, says Braun

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...
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April 09, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Republicans Push Back Against Democrat-Led Property Tax Hike

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.
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April 09, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH – Special Edition: Strong opposition from Senators and average Washingtonians against property tax increase

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...
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April 08, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Republicans to hold news conference to stop Senate Bill 5798

“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...
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April 04, 2025
Matt Boehnke

8th District lawmakers highlight proposed capital budget funding for local projects, pledge continued advocacy to secure final approval

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...
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April 04, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Legislation to bolster Washington’s election security clears key hurdle

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,...
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April 04, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: Say what? Gov. Ferguson draws a line in the sand

    “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...
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