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OLYMPIA… The agenda for today’s meeting of the Senate Ways and Means Committee has Senate Republican budget leaders suggesting only one party in Olympia is committed to making Washington more affordable. If the seven tax or fee bills on deck for committee votes today all become law, the combined annual cost is estimated at nearly $950...

In an interview with Jason Rantz, Sen. John Braun criticizes Washington’s proposed 9.9% income tax, arguing it violates the constitution, threatens small businesses, and accelerates outmigration. He highlights economic risks, pass-through business impacts, and other controversial bills shaping the state’s future.

Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, shares his perspective on two controversial bills. First, he examines a proposal to seal records for individuals who change their gender identity, raising concerns about its potential clash with an initiative protecting girls’ sports. Then, he dives into a second bill that would impose new qualifications for elected sheriffs — requirements...

During Senate floor debate on Senate Bill 6346, Sen. Nikki Torres rises in opposition to the Democrats’ proposed income tax. Torres argues the measure would open the door to a broader income tax in Washington and disproportionately harm small and minority-owned businesses across the state. Drawing from her experience as former president and CEO of...

7th District lawmakers Sen. Shelly Short and Rep. Andrew Engell talk about major bills on income tax, farmworker overtime, housing regulations, and wildfire funding. Discussions highlight rural-urban divides, affordability concerns, and budget challenges, with the two Republicans stressing constitutional issues, fiscal responsibility, and bipartisan cooperation to address emergency services, housing shortages, and economic impacts statewide.

Washington may soon have an income tax. Democrats pushed a bill through the state Senate to create one. Tracy Ellis reports.

OLYMPIA… Leaders in the state Legislature’s Senate Republican caucus offered these comments following the majority Democrats’ passage of legislation to create a state income tax. Senate Bill 6346 was passed with a 27-22 vote: From Senate Republican Leader John Braun of Centralia: “This income-tax bill clearly goes against our state constitution as well as 90-plus...

Senator Shelly Short strongly criticized a bill allowing an unelected commission to determine if elected sheriffs are qualified. She argued this undermines constitutional principles and local representation, warning against bureaucratic overreach that could erode community trust and voter rights in law enforcement leadership.

Senator Jeff Wilson condemned Senate Bill 5974, which shifts authority over sheriffs from voters to an unelected board. He highlighted Pacific County as the first likely impacted, calling the measure an “ugly bill” that disregards the will of voters and threatens democratic accountability in policing.

Senate Republican Leader John Braun opposes legislation enabling a governor-appointed commission to remove elected sheriffs. He emphasizes existing recall and election processes already safeguard accountability, arguing the proposal oversteps constitutional protections and undermines voters’ rights to choose their law enforcement leaders every four years.

On KPQ, Senator Keith Goehner says an income tax proposal has no guarantee that funds will go to education. He’s concerned over a bill that would let an unelected board remove elected sheriffs. He says expanded powers for the Attorney General raises questions about overreach and impacts on small businesses. He continues to work to...