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Senators
Washington Can’t Afford It
Every law has a cost. Families should come first.
Quick Facts:
- Cost of living above national average
- One of the most expensive states for housing
- Consistently among the nation’s top three highest gas prices, about a dollar above the national average.
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
The Elephant in the Dome Podcast—Washington’s Power Crunch: John Braun on the Future of the Grid
Senate Republican Leader John Braun joins The Elephant in the Dome to break down Washington’s looming power shortage, the TransAlta coal‑to‑gas transition, the role of hydro and nuclear, and what it will take to keep energy reliable and affordable. TRANSCRIPT
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VIDEO: Washington senators propose bill aiming to make state release of serial rapists more difficult
Two months after the release of the late Kevin Coe, Senator Mark Schoesler is proposing a bill that would make it harder to release those convicted of rape.
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AUDIO: Wilson bill would permit voluntary contributions for sea lion control
Sea lions are taking a big bite out of Washington’s salmon runs — and Senator Jeff Wilson says boaters can help. Tracy Ellis explains.
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AUDIO: KONA Radio: Schoesler Pushes Back on Serial Rapist Releases
On KONA Radio’s The Bottom Line, Sen. Mark Schoesler discusses his bipartisan bill to block the release of serial rapists who refuse treatment or show no remorse. Schoesler says victims deserve protection and lawmakers must close loopholes that allowed Kevin Coe’s release.
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The Elephant in the Dome podcast: Jobs Tax. Income Tax. Innovation Tax. Sen. John Braun Says: Enough to Democrat Tax Hikes!
Democrats are pushing a slew of new taxes — from jobs to income to innovation — that threaten Washington’s economy and working families. Sen. John Braun calls out their tax agenda, warning it will punish small businesses, stifle growth, and demand urgent conservative solutions. TRANSCRIPT
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AUDIO: Focus is on Ferguson following year’s final revenue forecast, says Republican budget leader
The clock is now ticking on the Governor’s latest affordability test. Tracy Ellis explains.
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News from the Senators
Goehner calls for lower costs, not bigger government, to fix housing shortage
Sen. Keith Goehner/R-Dryden/Credit: Washington State Senate DRYDEN… The top Republican member of the Washington State Senate Housing Committee today expressed serious concerns about the governor’s newly announced $244 million housing plan, warning that the proposal relies almost entirely on government subsidies and nonprofit development while failing to address the main barriers to large-scale housing construction....
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Action needed as region’s shortage of reliable energy nears crisis level, Boehnke warns
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature OLYMPIA… Senator Matt Boehnke today issued a strong warning about the Pacific Northwest’s energy future, citing a new analysis that projects potential power shortfalls in the region during extreme conditions. The analysis, conducted by Energy + Environmental Economics for the region’s largest utilities, models thousands of years of...
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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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Social Media
Governor Ferguson erroneously claims that billions were cut from the last Democrat Budget, but in reality, it grew 8.2%. The same budget has the LARGEST TAX INCREASE in state history, passed after Olympia Democrats voted to shut the public out of the budget process.![]()
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Now, a WA State House Democrat/Socialist is rolling out a new income tax proposal TAXING JOBS. That's no typo.![]()
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We fought hard for open, transparent government with accountable spending in our budget by focusing on waste and abuse.![]()
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Keep in mind, there’s still $1.17 BILLION in missing Covid money from the Inslee Administration, $1 BILLION wasted in IT projects for L&I, $646 MILLION stolen from unemployment by Nigerian scammers, $340 MILLION going to non-citizens, and much more waste. Imagine what these BILLIONS alone could have paid for.![]()
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Washington State has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.![]()
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ow.ly/qkp650XMYRS![]()
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#GovernmentGreed #StopTheGreed #ReturnAffordability #waleg
Senate Republicans are deeply saddened to hear of the death of WSP Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, who was killed in the line of duty Friday in Tacoma.![]()
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Our prayers and hearts are with the trooper's family and the entire law enforcement community. They risk their lives every day to keep communities sa#backthebluee#walegwaleg
Double Dipping: Sen. Chris Gildon proposes legislation closing a loophole allowing government workers to double dip by using paid time off and family leave at the same time (SB 5889). Currently this double dipping lets them collect 190% of their salary, costing you the taxpayer even more.![]()
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SB 5889 would save taxpayers a great deal of money. We need to be looking at cost savings and efficiencies, instead of even considering raising taxes. ![]()
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Just this year, WA families and individuals had their cost of living greatly increased, after Olympia Democrats passed the largest tax increase and spending spree in state history (SB 5167). Property taxes, rent, sales tax, energy taxes, B&O taxes and more were all increased, in addition to new taxes.![]()
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It's time to lower, not increase, the cost of living. It starts with commonsense measures.![]()
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The Center Square Washington: ow.ly/WZlv50XMYPU![]()
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#GovernmentGreed #StopTheGreed #ReturnAffordability #waleg
