News from the Caucus

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Legislation sponsored by Sen. Matt Boehnke to support Washington’s turf-seed industry has passed both chambers of the Legislature and now heads to the governor’s desk for final consideration. Senate Bill 5074 would establish updated regulations for selling and distributing turf seed grass, providing greater contract security, promoting...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… On April 10, the state House of Representatives approved legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke that is intended to make college or a technical school more accessible for Washington students. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for further consideration. Senate Bill 5543 would extend eligibility for...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… As Republican leader on the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee, Sen. Matt Boehnke has worked hard to improve the state’s energy policy. His bill to improve the state’s climate-data reporting is headed for the late-session step known as “concurrence” after receiving a second unanimous vote, this...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature OLYMPIA… Friday, Sen. Matt Boehnke voiced strong opposition to the Senate majority’s approval of House Bill 1296, calling the legislation “a direct assault on parental authority and local control in education.” The bill would significantly expand the power of the state’s superintendent of public instruction to investigate and...

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… State Sen. Keith Goehner today raised serious concerns about the Senate majority’s support of House Bill 1296, criticizing the measure as an unwarranted expansion of state authority that would sideline parents and erode local oversight in education. Goehner, R-Dryden, issued this statement following the Senate vote: “This legislation...

State Senate Democrats are pushing to scrap the one percent cap on property tax growth, opening the door for taxes to skyrocket with inflation. A Democrat rent control bill from the House cleared the Senate and now heads back to the House for further consideration. Senator Braun speaks out against both measures.

The state Senate Republican Leader accuses Senate Democrats of passing a bill that bullies schools and sidelines parents. Tracy Ellis reports.

WATCH: Sen. John Braun telling it like it is on property taxes and rent control     Senate Republican Leader John Braun tells us how it really is with the majority’s effort to: Remove the annual growth rate cap on your property taxes (SB 5798) so government can increase your property taxes by four or...

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature OLYMPIA… Yesterday, Sen. Matt Boehnke voiced serious concerns following the Senate majority’s approval of House Bill 1217, which would cap annual rent increases at 10%. Prior to its passage, the rent-increase cap was lifted from the 7% in the bill adopted by the House, which means HB 1217...

Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate OLYMPIA… Sen. Keith Goehner says the so-called “rent stabilization” measure passed today by Senate Democrats is a failed policy and would have devastating consequences for housing affordability, small landlords, and renters alike. Goehner, R-Dryden and lead Republican on the Senate Housing Committee, issued this statement: “Let’s call it what...

Senate Republican Leader John Braun discusses concerns over proposed property tax increases and rent control, featuring voices from homeowners, renters, and landlords. He examines economic impacts, the housing crisis, and the broader effects on businesses and essential services.  

OLYMPIA…Today, majority Democrats in the Washington State Senate passed a misguided rent-control bill they claim will address the state’s critical shortage of affordable housing. Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, voted against House Bill 1217, as did his Republican colleagues. Braun shared this reaction to the vote: “We all agree that rents across our state...