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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
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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The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Bill Gates Rethinks Climate, Washington Rethinks Dinner: Sen. Braun on Climate Costs and Dining Dilemmas
Sen. John Braun discusses Bill Gates’ climate pivot, the real-world impact of the Climate Commitment Act, and why Washington tops the charts for dining costs. Listen to this timely conversation about affordability, policy, and political accountability. TRANSCRIPT
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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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News from the Senators
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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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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Social Media
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Washington State Senate Republican Caucus
The official Facebook page of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus
What?! State-run Green Hill School is in the news again, this time for staff having sex with inmates and recording it.![]()
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Senate Republican Leader John Braun is calling for an immediate investigation and public hearings to address these criminal acts, as well as policies and the culture at Green Hill, that allowed this to happen.![]()
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Green Hill School has been in several scandals involving staff and inmates, including hard drugs being smuggled in, a severe lack of accountability, and much more.![]()
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Sen. Braun has been on the forefront to improve conditions, policies, accountability, and outcomes at the deeply troubled rehabilitation center. Olympia Democrats keep blocking his legislation to firmly address Green Hill (SB 5278). It's well-past time for the majority party to stop stalling this vital bill.![]()
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Full Statement: ow.ly/OSla50X#UnsafeWAafeWA WADeservesBe#walegwaleg
Oregon and Idaho beat WA on fuel prices… and wireless taxes too. ![]()
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The rate here is 21.6% (2nd worst in US) while OR is 9.2% and ID’s rate is 3.5%!!! Olympia Democrats complain WA’s tax code is “upside down” when THEY are responsible, through taxes like these! ![]()
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#PainInTheGas #UnaffordableWA #waleg
WA Democrats are once again looking to impose an income tax on "high earners." ![]()
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The move comes after they passed the largest tax increases in state history this year, and after they voted to shut the public out of the budget process. Current law explicitly prohibits a state and local income tax too (I-2111).![]()
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What are your thoughts on this?
Washington state Democrats look at imposing income tax on higher earners • Washington State Standard
ow.ly
Democratic state senators are eyeing an income tax on millionaires as they seek to overcome Washington’s persisting budget shortfall.
