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Senators
2025 Democrat Taxes
$12.5 billion in state and local taxes
- $1.6 BILLION: Property-tax increase
- $3.9 BILLION: Sales-tax increase
- $5.6 BILLION: Business and occupation-tax increase
- $637 MILLION: Capital gains and Death-tax increase
- $170 MILLION: New tax on storage units and more
- $281 MILLION: New Tesla Tax
PLUS…
- 50% increase in the Discover Passes
- 38% increase in hunting & fishing licenses
- 50% increase in liquor licenses
2025/26 Layoffs & Closures in Washington State
Total Workers Affected Statewide
Notable Examples:
- Microsoft – Over 3,200 layoffs across Redmond and Bellevue
- Amazon – Over 2,300 layoffs across multiple locations
- Starbucks – Over 1,300 layoffs and closures across multiple locations
- Fred Meyer – Over 980 layoffs from store closures (Tacoma, Seattle, Kent, Everett, Redmond)
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News from the Caucus
Washington State Legislative Letter of Support, Rural Health Transformation
The Honorable Dr. Mehmet Oz CMS Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 200 Independence Ave. SW Washington, D.C. 20201 Dear Administrator Oz, We submit this letter in strong support of Washington State’s application for funding under the CMS Rural Health Transformation (RHT) initiative [CMS-RHT-26-001] and urge your approval of the maximum amount of allowable...
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What Can Washington Afford—and Not Afford—to Do?
Sen. John Braun unpacks the affordability crisis in Washington—from groceries to housing to Medicaid. He explores priorities, long-term costs, and what lawmakers must do to keep essential services sustainable. TRANSCRIPT
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AUDIO: Sen. Braun on Race-Based Housing Scandal on KVI Radio
Sen. John Braun joins KVI’s Morning Ride to discuss an investigation into alleged misuse of taxpayer funds tied to a race-restricted homeownership program.
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AUDIO: Braun: Corruption in race-based homeownership program exploits taxpayers, undermines public trust
The state Senate Republican leader is demanding a full investigation into taxpayer money tied to a race-restricted housing program. Tracy Ellis reports.
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AUDIO: Green Hill scandal ‘a systemic failure,’ demands accountability, transparency, reform
State Senate Republican Leader John Braun is demanding action after reports of staff recording sexual acts with inmates at Green Hill School. Tracy Ellis reports.
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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Housing Gridlock: What’s Driving Washington’s Crisis?
Senators John Braun and Chris Gildon join builder Kurt Wilson to unpack why housing is unaffordable and scarce in Washington—from rent control to red tape—and what Republicans say must change to get homes built and prices down. TRANSCRIPT Please share with your network. The more voices in the conversation, the closer we get to real...
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News from the Senators
Keep Washington building, says Boehnke, through support for manufacturers, more trade and less red tape
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature OLYMPIA… Although employment in Washington’s manufacturing sector is already forecast to increase over the next several years, Sen. Matt Boehnke thinks big growth is possible if lawmakers and government regulators would understand and focus on the needs of manufacturers. “Manufacturing is how Washington builds the middle class,” said...
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Sen. Goehner: Farmers don’t need more government programs, they need fewer barriers
Sen. Keith Goehner, R-Dryden, speaks with constituents in Carnation earlier in the day before the October 11 meeting with the governor/Credit: Eric LaFontaine OLYMPIA… State government can help make the future brighter for Washington agriculture by taking more of a practical, hands-off approach, says Sen. Keith Goehner, who took part in a roundtable discussion in...
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STATEMENT: Another Green Hill scandal a continuation of ‘systemic failure’
WATCH KING TV’S REPORT CENTRALIA — Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, issued the following statement today in response to reports that staff at Green Hill School in Chehalis recorded sexual acts with inmates in custody: “The reports coming out of Green Hill School are appalling. Instead of rehabilitating inmates housed at the facility,...
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12th Legislative District Town Hall
Sen. Goehner, R-Dryden, Rep. Steele, R-Chelan, and Rep. Brian Burnett, R-Wenatchee, will hold a town hall on Oct. 11. My colleagues and I, Rep. Mike Steele and Rep. Brian Burnett, will hold a community town hall on Saturday, October 11, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Miller’s, located at 4597 Tolt Ave. in Carnation. If...
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Apply now for the 2026 Legislative Internship Program
Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate One of the best opportunities the Legislature offers each year is the chance for college students to serve as legislative interns. This program places students directly at the heart of the lawmaking process, providing them with real-world experience, professional skills, and a front-row seat to how decisions are made...
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Setting the record straight on COVID-19 vaccines in Washington
Sen. Goehner, R-Dryden, talks with Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, on the Senate floor. Online discussions about COVID-19 vaccines have created confusion for many families across the state. Here is what residents of the 12th Legislative District should know about current guidance and the law in Washington: The Centers for Disease Control have updated their guidance...
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Social Media
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Washington State Senate Republican Caucus
The official Facebook page of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus
As WA Democrats enact the LARGEST TAX INCREASES in State History, fmr. Gov. Inslee's administration is still missing or not adequately accounting for $1.17 BILLION in Federal Covid Relief -taxpayer funds, according to the State Auditor's Office (D).
#tbt WHERE’S THE FUNDS?! $1.17 BILLION MISSING: ![]()
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As Olympia Democrats enact the LARGEST TAX INCREASES in WA State History, former Gov. Inslee's administration, through various state agencies, is still missing or not adequately accounting for $1,170,000,000.00 in Federal Covid Relief Aid -taxpayer funds. This is according to the State Auditor's Office (D). ![]()
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Struggling WA families, individuals, and small businesses needed those funds. ![]()
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We have repeatedly advocated for better and more transparent management of your money (SB 5810). ![]()
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#UnaccountableWA #ReinstateAccountability #waleg![]()
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@CascadePBSNewsroom ow.ly/sbFf50UV5c8
Today is the final deadline for the 2026 Legislative Session. Apply Here: ow.ly/Z7X250XfbAu
![Sen. John Braun joins Brandi Kruse on [un]Divided to critique Washington’s proposed high-earner tax, warn of economic fallout, and demand transparency in the state’s equity program amid whistleblower claims of self-dealing and community outrage.](https://src.wastateleg.org/wp-content/plugins/feeds-for-youtube/img/placeholder.png)
