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

May 18, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Inslee vetoes show troubling lack of accountability

Senate Republican leader disappointed with snub of special education   OLYMPIA…Gov. Jay Inslee vetoed 20 provisos in the 2023-25 operating budget this week, including some that would have improved government accountability. Senate Republican Leader John Braun released comments in response to the governor vetoing the following items: Requirement for the Department of Social and Human...
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May 16, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Legislature passes ‘workable’ drug-possession compromise

OLYMPIA…The Washington State Legislature passed a compromise bill on the possession of hard drugs such as fentanyl today during a one-day special session. Senate Republican Leader John Braun and House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary provided the following comments in response: “This bill isn’t perfect, but it is a strong step in the right direction and...
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May 10, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Joint statement: Braun and Stokesbary comment on end to Inslee’s vaccine mandate

Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that he will rescind requirements related to COVID-19 vaccination for state employees. House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary and Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement in response to the governor’s directive: “Just as Governor Inslee was slow to end his COVID state of emergency, he’s been equally behind the times...
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May 05, 2023
Nikki Torres

Torres bill to expand farm-internship program signed into law

Thanks to a measure sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres, more young people will soon be on their way to becoming the next generation of Washington farmers. Senate Bill 5156, which was signed by the governor on Thursday in a ceremony at the Capitol, expands the state’s successful farm-internship program statewide and also makes the program...
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May 02, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

STATEMENT: Republican leader cautious about drug-law ‘special’ session

CENTRALIA… State lawmakers have been called into a special session to continue work toward a new state law on the possession of controlled substances, after failing to come to an agreement before the regular legislative session ended April 23. Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this comment following Gov. Jay Inslee’s proclamation that the Legislature...
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April 28, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Failure to reform drug-possession law rests squarely with House Democrats, says Republican leader

A bill to increase the penalty for hard drug-possession failed in the House of Representatives in the final hours of the legislative session. No Republicans voted for the bill and legislative Democrats say that surprised them. Senate Republican Leader John Braun doesn’t understand how that’s possible.
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April 23, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Hard-fought battles further top Republican priorities

OLYMPIA…Senate Republican Leader John Braun released the following statement after the 2023 Washington State Legislature adjourned after a 105-day legislative session. “Republicans have a lot to be proud of this year. We were able to address each of our top priorities: public safety, affordability and education. We had some big disappointments as well, but we...
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April 23, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Braun praises work of outgoing House Republican Leader Wilcox

OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun offered this comment following Rep. J.T. Wilcox’s announcement today that he is stepping down as House Republican leader, a position he has held since March 2018: “Representative Wilcox and I have similar experiences as legislators, from when we were elected and our budget-committee backgrounds to when we became leaders...
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April 21, 2023
Mark Schoesler

Schoesler says Democrats’ passage of anti-firearm bills won’t deter criminals

State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued this statement after Democratic majorities in the Legislature passed House Bill 1240, which would ban the sale of semi-automatic weapons in Washington, and House Bill 1143, which would prohibit someone from buying a firearm from a dealer unless the buyer has passed a background check and has completed a...
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April 17, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Bill to expand standard for vehicular pursuit “simply not enough,” says Senate Republican Leader

 OLYMPIA… Senate Republican Leader John Braun today provided the following comments after the Senate’s narrow passage of legislation that is a half-step toward letting law-enforcement officers engage in vehicular pursuits in more situations than Washington law has allowed since 2021. Senate Bill 5352 was passed with a 26-22 vote, representing the mixed feelings about the bill on...
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April 14, 2023
Senate Republican Caucus

Senate Bill 5770 – the property tax increase on EVERYONE

20 Senate Democrats think your property taxes are too low, so they have sponsored Senate Bill 5770. It would triple the growth rate of state and local property taxes by increasing the cap from 1% to 3%. In just six  years, it would cost taxpayers $4.1 billion. FISCAL IMPACT Read the Department of Revenue’s fiscal...
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April 14, 2023
Keith Wagoner

Wagoner bill to recognize history, contributions of Americans of Chinese descent wins full legislative approval

Sen. Keith Wagoner’s measure designating January as Americans of Chinese Descent Month in Washington has nearly reached the end of a long journey into state law.   “This is an important day and a great victory,” said Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, who has been working on the issue since 2020.   “This measure will provide our schools...
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