Leadership Blog

In the News

VIDEO: KOMO: Braun Demands Accountability After Audit Flags $37M in Questionable Child Care Payments

Published on April 07, 2026
After a state audit estimated $37 million in questionable child-care payments, Senator John Braun is calling for transparency and accountability at the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Braun says taxpayers deserve clear answers and stronger safeguards to prevent abuse while ensuring families who rely on child-care programs receive support.
Read More

AUDIO: Billions Spent, Little Accountability: Sen. Braun Sounds Alarm on Child Welfare Spending on the Lars Larson Show.

Published on April 06, 2026
Senate Republican Leader John Braun joins Lars Larson to discuss a troubling audit of Washington’s child welfare agency, revealing widespread overpayments and weak oversight. Braun questions why billions in taxpayer dollars are poorly tracked, why the agency employs many lobbyists but few auditors, and why accountability from state leadership remains absent.
Read More

VIDEO: Sen. John Braun on The John Curley Show on KIRO: Millions Wasted in WA Childcare Program?!

Published on April 03, 2026
A new state audit is raising serious concerns about how taxpayer money is being handled in Washington. Senate Republican Leader John Braun says the findings reveal “nothing short of a systemic failure” inside the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, pointing to widespread overpayments to childcare providers and millions in improper spending. In just a...
Read More

WA Income Tax Signed — But Fraud, Lawsuits & Government Waste Still Growing — The Elephant in the Dome Podcast

Published on April 03, 2026
Washington now has a new income tax set to take effect in 2028. But questions remain about how the state manages the money it already collects. In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, host Tracy Ellis sits down with Senate Republican Leader John Braun to discuss a troubling state audit involving the Washington State...
Read More

AUDIO: Braun: Auditor’s report reveals ‘systemic failure’ and misplaced priorities at DCYF

Published on April 01, 2026
A new state audit is raising serious concerns about how Washington oversees childcare funding. Tracy Ellis reports.
Read More

News

February 25, 2026
Phil Fortunato

Income tax, Fairfax Bridge, survey results and district priorities

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community in the 31st Legislative District. In Olympia, I’m focused on practical solutions that keep Washington affordable, ensure accountability, and reflect the common-sense priorities of the people I work for every day. Today marks another deadline — Policy Committee Cutoff in the opposite chamber. From here, the focus...
Read More
February 24, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Sen. Goehner Highlights Income Tax Opposition, Budget Concerns, and Local Project Funding on KOZI Radio

On KOZI Radio, Sen. Keith Goehner discusses strong public opposition to the proposed income tax, rapid state spending growth, and concerns about constitutional overreach. He also highlights new funding for the Totem Road project, ongoing budget negotiations, and urges constituents to stay engaged as the short session accelerates.
Read More
February 24, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: KOMW: Seventh District Lawmakers Push Back on Income Tax, Budget Growth, and Rural Impacts

On Okanogan Country Radio, Sen. Shelly Short and Reps. Andrew Engell and Hunter Abell discuss overwhelming public opposition to the proposed income tax, rising state spending, and threats to rural services. They highlight budget concerns, legislative procedural wins, and bipartisan efforts to advance bills supporting veterans, health care access, wildfire preparedness, and rural communities.
Read More
February 24, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Sen. Wagoner Criticizes Income Tax Plan and Budget Moves in Olympia on KGMI Radio

On KGMI Radio, Sen. Keith Wagoner discusses legislative cutoffs, criticizes the proposed millionaire income tax, and opposes redirecting police and firefighter pension funds. He highlights concerns about an anti sheriff bill, public referendum limits, and emerging public safety issues like unregulated nitrous oxide sales.
Read More
February 24, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Senate releases 2026 capital budget proposal

A proposal to keep Washington’s buildings, schools, and communities humming along was unveiled in Olympia. Tracy Ellis reports.
Read More
February 23, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Republican Budget leader on proposed Senate operating budget: Too much spending, wrong priorities, and unsustainable

Something fragile that collapses easily – that’s how state Senate Republicans describe the Democrats’ new supplemental operating budget. Tracy Ellis explains.
Read More
February 23, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: Republican leaders on proposed Senate operating budget: Too much spending, wrong priorities, and unsustainable

OLYMPIA… The budget leaders for the state’s Senate Republicans offered this assessment of the supplemental 2025-27 operating budget from majority Democrats, which will have a public hearing this afternoon before the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The proposal would push state spending above the $80 billion mark for the first time and represent an 11.3%...
Read More
February 23, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: BREAKING: Income tax sets another state record for most unpopular bill ahead of hearing in House Finance Committee

The most unpopular bill in Washington history just got even more unpopular. Tracy Ellis tells us more than 100,000 people signed in to oppose the income tax bill ahead of its hearing in the House Finance Committee.
Read More
February 23, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

BREAKING: Income tax sets another state record for most unpopular bill ahead of hearing in House Finance Committee

Democrats in denial, gaslight opposition to the income tax as “bots” LISTEN: Tracy Ellis tells us more than 100,000 people signed in to oppose the income tax bill ahead of its hearing in the House Finance Committee. OLYMPIA…More than 100,000 Washingtonians made state history this week by signing in to oppose the 9.9% income tax...
Read More
February 20, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Senators Short and Warnick Discuss Legislative Deadlines, Income Tax Debate, and Local Control Issues on KPQ

In this KPQ interview, Senators Shelly Short and Judy Warnick share insights on Olympia’s legislative session, including bill cutoff drama, opposition to a proposed state income tax, and concerns over SB 5974 limiting local control of sheriffs. They highlight strategic maneuvers, constitutional questions, and impacts on Washington communities.
Read More
February 20, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Income Tax Threatens Washington Families—19th District Legislative Update with Senator Jeff Wilson

Senator Jeff Wilson calls the proposed income tax the most consequential bill of the session, warning it will devastate families and businesses. He fears the measure will spread “like tax wildfire” if enacted and urges hope that it never reaches the governor’s desk.
Read More
February 20, 2026
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Distrust in Government Tax Promises—9th District Legislative Update with Senator Mark Schoesler

Senator Mark Schoesler reflects on decades of broken promises tied to taxes, from sales tax to lottery and capital gains. He argues that history shows government cannot be trusted to limit taxation, warning that the proposed income tax is just another step toward higher rates and less transparency.
Read More
1 2 3 4 5
6
7 8 9 10
...
62