Leadership Blog

In the News

The Cost of Crime: Unpacking Washington State’s Organized Retail Theft Crisis

Published on August 27, 2026
Hosted by Senator Chris Gildon, this episode of The Elephant in the Dome features Washington Retail Association guests Jan Himebaugh and Crystal Leatherman. Together, they explore Washington’s escalating organized retail crime crisis, examine its connection to broader illegal networks, and discuss actionable solutions to rebuild accountability. TRANSCRIPT
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Decoding 340B: The $81 Billion Drug Discount Program Explained | The Elephant in the Dome

Published on July 30, 2026
In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon hosts Senator Ron Muzzall the ranking Republican on the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee. They break down the complex 340B Drug Pricing Program—a federal initiative designed to help safety-net health clinics and hospitals acquire discounted prescription medication for low-income patients. They discuss...
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AUDIO: Democrats’ spending draws warning from business leader: ‘It’s time to wake up’

Published on July 24, 2026
Washington business leaders are sounding the alarm on state spending — and it’s not just Republicans. Tracy Ellis explains. Seattle Kraken CEO Tod Leiweke — a lifelong Democrat — is urging lawmakers to ‘wake up’ as spending nears 80 billion dollars. State Senator Chris Gildon notes that Leiweke joins two former Democratic governors and other critics...
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Elephant in the Dome Podcast—Ferguson’s Gas Crisis, Shaky Budgets, America @ 250 w/Sen. Chris Gildon

Published on July 01, 2026
In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon pulls back the curtain on the real issues facing Washington. From the controversial impacts of the Climate Commitment Act on gas prices and utility bills to a deep dive into Olympia’s looming budget shortfall, Sen. Gildon breaks down the numbers that the majority...
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The Crisis of Washington’s “Keeping Families Together Act” | Elephant in the Dome Podcast

Published on June 17, 2026
In this episode of Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon sits down with foster parent and healthcare professional Tracie Jefferson. They dive deep into the devastating, unintended consequences of Washington State’s “Keeping Families Together Act,” examining how its high removal thresholds and systemic issues impact vulnerable children. TRANSCRIPT
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News

February 28, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Wagoner removes anti parent provision from bill to protect kids online

An anti-parent provision in a bill designed to protect kids online is no longer part of the legislation – thanks to a state Senator. Tracy Ellis explains
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February 27, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO—TVW—The Impact—Road Usage Charge in Focus with Sen. Curtis King

An in-depth look at the proposed road usage charge to tax drivers by the mile, pitched as an eventual fuel tax replacement. Interviews with the Ranking Republican Member on the Senate Transportation Committee, Sen. Curtis King and the Democratic House Transportation Committee Chair.
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February 27, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

NEWSFLASH: Reaction to Gov. Ferguson’s budget plan & victory on wood stoves

    LISTEN: Reaction to Gov. Ferguson’s budget plan Democrats want to raise taxes. We want to implement savings and efficiencies. What does Gov. Ferguson want? The new governor held a press conference Thursday to share “savings and efficiencies” he’d like to see incorporated into the budget. Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, is the Senate Republican...
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February 27, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

AUDIO: Republican budget leader welcomes Ferguson’s savings suggestions

Gov. Bob Ferguson released his cost-cutting ideas, and Senate Republican budget leader Chris Gildon is giving credit—with some skepticism. Tracy Ellis explains.
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February 26, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

SRC On-Air—KVI—Ari Hoffman—State’s budget shortfall another example of Democrats using scare tactics to justify unnecessary tax increases

Senator Chris Gildon reveals that the real deficit is around $6.7 billion—far lower than the $12–16 billion figure Democrats are pushing. The inflated number comes from overspending, including Governor Inslee’s reckless $4 billion in state employee raises without a real feasibility study. Meanwhile, Democrats refuse to consider cuts to wasteful programs, instead insisting on raising...
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February 26, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Senate unanimously passes Boehnke election-security bill

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… The state Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke that is intended to improve the security of Washington’s electoral process. Senate Bill 5014 would strengthen election security by expanding the Secretary of State’s oversight of equipment and platforms used in elections. It also would...
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February 25, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

VIDEO: Legislative Republican Leadership Media Availability

Republican lawmakers hold a media availability to discuss key legislative priorities. They focus on public safety, affordability, and education, raising concerns over new tax proposals and state budget shortfalls. They also oppose bills on parental rights and initiatives, arguing they limit parent and citizen participation. With fiscal deadlines approaching, Republicans emphasized their commitment to responsible...
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February 25, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Boehnke bills aimed at improving access to education move forward

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Two of Sen. Matt Boehnke’s pro-education bills have cleared the first deadline for legislation to move forward from policy committees in the Senate. “Both of these bills will allow our higher-education system to accommodate more students to be successful as they move beyond the K-12 level,” Boehnke...
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February 24, 2025
Matt Boehnke

Boehnke bill to update vehicle-emissions rule attracts strong public support

OLYMPIA… As Sen. Matt Boehnke suspected, there is strong public support for legislation he has proposed to realign Washington’s vehicle-emissions rules with federal standards instead of California’s. Today the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held a public hearing on the Kennewick Republican’s measure, which also aims to bring more accountability to state emissions standards....
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February 24, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

BILL ALERT: Senate and House budget committees hearing bills this week to raise taxes/fees

TELL DEMOCRATS THEY DON’T NEED MORE OF YOUR MONEY The Senate Ways & Means Committee and the House Appropriations Committee will both hear a variety of bills this week that will impose new or higher taxes and fees on Washington taxpayers.  Two of the bills give state and/or local governments the ability to raise taxes...
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February 24, 2025
Keith Goehner

Senate passes Goehner bill to expand local housing options

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Sen. Keith Goehner’s work to give counties more options for promoting affordable housing received a big boost last Wednesday. The Senate gave overwhelming bipartisan support to Senate Bill 5471, Goehner’s effort to let counties authorize at least one “middle housing” unit on every parcel zoned for single-family homes...
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February 22, 2025
Senate Republican Caucus

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Washington Senate Republicans Push for Housing Solutions

In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senate Republican Leader John Braun and Senator Keith Goehner discuss Washington’s housing crisis and the Senate Republican plan to address affordability. They break down the impact of restrictive regulations, the risks of rent control, and why empowering private sector development is key to increasing supply. Tune...
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