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

January 23, 2025
Jeff Holy

Senate panel passes Holy bill to help hire more law-enforcement officers

A bipartisan bill prime-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Holy to increase public safety by boosting the number of law-enforcement officers in Washington communities was approved by the Senate Law and Justice Committee today. Senate Bill 5060 would have the state Criminal Justice Training Commission develop and implement a grant program to help local and tribal governments...
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January 23, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Senate panel passes Holy bill to help hire more law-enforcement officers

A bipartisan bill to increase the number of law enforcement officers in Washington is a step closer to being signed by Governor Bob Ferguson. Tracy Ellis explains.
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January 23, 2025
Keith Goehner

Goehner appointed to committee on economic development, international relations

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Sen. Keith Goehner has been appointed to the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (LCEDIR) by Lt. Governor Denny Heck. This marks Goehner’s second special committee appointment since his term as a state senator began Jan. 13 and reflects his commitment to fostering economic growth and...
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January 23, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: State Senate Republican leadership update with Senator John Braun

Legislative Democrats are attempting to overturn the Parental Rights Initiative 2081 through Senate Bill 5181. The initiative, which was endorsed by over 400,000 Washingtonians, enshrined and clarified parental and familial rights in public education.
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January 21, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Budget and spending are top issues for 2025 Legislature, Short says

Washington taxpayers are being asked to cover the costs of unfortunate spending decisions by majority Democrats in Olympia, according to a state legislator. Tracy Ellis explains.
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January 21, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Legislative Republican Leadership Media Availability

Senators John Braun and Shelly Short and other Legislative Republican leaders hold their weekly media availability to discuss the 2025 legislative session.
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January 21, 2025
John Braun

Braun proposes transforming The Evergreen State College to address Washington’s growing health-care workforce crisis

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, introduced a bill today that would better position Washington to manage the critical demand for 3.2 million additional health-care workers within the next five years. Senate Bill 5424 would change the mission of The Evergreen State College (TESC), which, as an institution of higher education, has declined in recent...
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January 19, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Senate Republican Leader John Braun legislative update

Welcome to the first legislative update of the 2025 session from Senator Braun. Throughout this session, Senator Braun will provide regular updates to keep you informed about the latest developments and legislative activities. Stay tuned for more insights and progress reports as we work together to make a positive impact.
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January 18, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Governor’s Inaugural Address, Budget Insights, and Legislative Updates

In this episode of “The Elephant in the Dome,” the official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus, hosts Tracy Ellis and Laudan Espinoza are joined by Senate Republican Leader John Braun. They discuss Governor Bob Ferguson’s inaugural address and some key issues facing legislators. They also touch on the potential for new taxes...
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January 17, 2025
Chris Gildon

Gildon says $7.3 million judgment underscores need for agency-oversight bill

OLYMPIA… The state’s failure to deal with water contamination at the Special Commitment Center for sex offenders on McNeil Island has led to a $7.325 million judgment in a class-action lawsuit brought by hundreds of residents of the center. Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, says this is the latest in a long and expensive string of...
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January 16, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: TVW: Inside Olympia: Senate Budget Leaders

An in-depth conversation on the state budget with the lead budget writers in the Senate: The Ways and Means Chair and the ranking Republican on that committee, Chris Gildon. Gildon’s take on how we got here: “The Legislature a few years back basically put a number of bills on layaway, they said we want to...
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January 15, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Republican leaders find hope and promise in the new Democratic governor’s inaugural address

Republican leaders are cautiously optimistic after Gov. Bob Ferguson’s inaugural speech. Featuring Senators John Braun, Judy Warnick and Drew MacEwen.
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