News

Republicans are criticizing the state Senate’s main operating budget, even as they support two other spending plans. Tracy Ellis explains.

OLYMPIA… The Senate’s majority Democrats today adopted a supplemental operating budget that would raid Washington’s rainy-day fund and other accounts to push state spending above $80 billion for the remainder of the 2025-27 biennium. Republican budget leaders are disappointed that billions of dollars are being pulled from one-time sources to support spending far beyond the...

Senate Democrats passed their $80 billion operating budget Friday — a budget that relies on: The hope that $801 million in appropriated money WON’T actually get spent $114 million in higher taxes, on top of the record $12.3 billion in state and local tax increases last year One-time money: Drains unrestricted reserves by $2.4 billion;...

Senator John Braun unpacks the Senate operating budget, income tax assumptions, education funding challenges, and concerns over one‑time money used for ongoing programs. TRANSCRIPT

With just two weeks left before adjournment on March 12, budget negotiations are taking center stage. Washington operates on three primary budgets — the operating, transportation, and capital budgets. The first two tend to grab the headlines, but today I want to focus on the one that quietly makes long-term investments in our communities: the...

OLYMPIA — During debate on the Senate’s proposed supplemental operating budget, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R–Auburn, introduced an amendment to require a phased-in zero-based budgeting review of state spending. The amendment was not adopted. The Senate proposed operating budget, Senate Bill 5998, passed on a party-line vote of 30–19, with all Democrats voting yes and all...

The legislative session is moving fast. Short sessions always do. It reminds me of those stretches on the farm when the weather window is tight and there’s more work than daylight. You start the morning walking the rows, checking on things, and before you know it you’re running hard just to keep up. Today is Policy...

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...

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.

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.

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.

A proposal to keep Washington’s buildings, schools, and communities humming along was unveiled in Olympia. Tracy Ellis reports.