The Elephant in the Dome

Washington’s criminal justice system has a big problem – a shortage of public defenders and prosecutors. Senator Mike Padden, a former judge and the Ranking Republican on the Senate Law and Justice Committee is the featured guest. Washington Supreme Court justices take testimony on proposed changes to public defender standards – Learn you how you […]

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Shortage of public defenders and prosecutors – a criminal justice crisis appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

Senator Matt Boehnke says State Department of Children, Youth, and Families mismanagement is leading to dangerous conditions at juvenile detention centers. Juvenile detention center overcrowding led to the transfer of dozens of men to adult prisons, but a judge ruled the move was illegal.

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senator Blindsided by Department of Children, Youth, and Families mismanagement and transfer and return of inmates appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

A shortage of public defenders is leading to the release of people charged with serious crimes. Senator Nikki Torres is working to address the crisis.

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: The public defender shortage crisis appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

New laws are going into effect that impact police pursuits, parental rights, and income taxes in Washington. The legislature passed three initiatives related to those issues. Senators Mike Padden, Shelly Short, and Matt Boehnke talk about them.  

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: New laws on police pursuits, parental rights, income taxes go into effect appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

Washington is grappling with a surge in deadly and serious injury car crashes. The Traffic Safety Commission says Washington hit a 33-year high in traffic deaths. Nearly half of those deaths involved drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Sen. Mike Padden on increase in fatal car wrecks appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

Republican senators applaud the opening of the center, stressing its importance amid the opioid crisis. Senator Lynda Wilson highlights the need for both treatment and accountability.

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Republicans applaud Center For Behavioral Health and Learning opening appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

What makes Senate Republicans tick? How do they come up with their priorities? What are they doing to tackle those priorities? Sen. John Braun talks public safety, affordability, education, and abortion in this episode of the Elephant in the Dome Podcast.

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: What’s important to Senate Republicans? appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

A recent Seattle Times Op-Ed asks: Washington is losing farms and food-producing land – does anyone care? Senator Ron Muzzall, a farmer, and the ranking Republican on the Senate Ag Committee explains why people should care.

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Will the last one on the farm please close the gate? appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

A Seattle teacher makes blatantly antisemitic comments. An illegal antisemitic protest blocks airport access. What’s going on? Senate Republican Leader John Braun joins host Tracy Ellis.

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Antisemitic rhetoric from teacher, and during dangerous illegal protest, Braun reacts appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

Governor Inslee signed a Democrat bill that he says creates the roadmap and tools for Puget Sound Energy to get out of the natural gas business. What does that mean? Senator Chris Gildon provides a comprehensive explanation of this controversial new law.

The post Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Inslee signs Democrat bill to transition largest utility away from natural gas – Gildon breaks down implications appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.