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The Elephant in the Dome
The Elephant in the Dome episodes
- Former Gov. Chris Gregoire: Is Washington Losing Its Competitive Edge? | Elephant in the DomeView OnlineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 12, 2026MEDIA CONTACT:Staff ContactFormer Gov. Chris Gregoire: Is Washington Losing Its Competitive Edge? | Elephant in the Dome
Is Washington losing its competitive edge?
Former Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire joins Sen. Chris Gildon on The Elephant in the Dome to discuss growing concerns about the state’s business climate — and what Washington can do to remain a place where businesses grow, jobs are created and families can afford to live.
Gregoire, who now leads Challenge Seattle, discusses a new economic development initiative focused on strengthening the Puget Sound region’s competitiveness.
In this conversation:
- Why Washington’s business climate is raising concerns
- How overlapping taxes and regulations affect businesses
- Opportunities in aerospace, technology, maritime and defense
- Why faster permitting could help address housing costs
- Lessons from the Great Recession about responsible state budgeting
- Why Gregoire believes economic competitiveness should be a nonpartisan priority
Despite coming from different political backgrounds, Gregoire and Gildon find common ground on the importance of jobs, affordability and Washington’s economic future.
Learn more about Challenge Seattle: https://challengeseattle.com/
Subscribe for more conversations about the issues affecting Washington residents.
TRANSCRIPT
Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin
You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.
21 min - The Cost of Crime: Unpacking Washington State’s Organized Retail Theft CrisisView OnlineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 27, 2026MEDIA CONTACT:Staff ContactThe Cost of Crime: Unpacking Washington State’s Organized Retail Theft CrisisHosted by Senator Chris Gildon, this episode of The Elephant in the Dome features Washington Retail Association guests Jan Himebaugh and Crystal Leatherman.Together, they explore Washington’s escalating organized retail crime crisis, examine its connection to broader illegal networks, and discuss actionable solutions to rebuild accountability.
TRANSCRIPT
Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin
You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.
25 min - Decoding 340B: The $81 Billion Drug Discount Program Explained | The Elephant in the DomeView OnlineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 30, 2026MEDIA CONTACT:Staff ContactDecoding 340B: The $81 Billion Drug Discount Program Explained | The Elephant in the DomeIn this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon hosts Senator Ron Muzzall the ranking Republican on the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee.They break down the complex 340B Drug Pricing Program—a federal initiative designed to help safety-net health clinics and hospitals acquire discounted prescription medication for low-income patients. They discuss how the program expanded from $12 billion to $81 billion, the balance between supporting struggling community hospitals and keeping private insurance costs manageable, and the legal battle surrounding Senate Bill 5981.
TRANSCRIPT
Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin
You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.
35 min - Elephant in the Dome Podcast—Ferguson’s Gas Crisis, Shaky Budgets, America @ 250 w/Sen. Chris GildonView OnlineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 1, 2026MEDIA CONTACT:Staff ContactElephant in the Dome Podcast—Ferguson’s Gas Crisis, Shaky Budgets, America @ 250 w/Sen. Chris GildonIn this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon pulls back the curtain on the real issues facing Washington.From the controversial impacts of the Climate Commitment Act on gas prices and utility bills to a deep dive into Olympia’s looming budget shortfall, Sen. Gildon breaks down the numbers that the majority party isn’t talking about.Plus, hear a unique perspective on America’s 250th milestone from a veteran who has served both in the military and the state legislature.
Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin
You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.
21 min - The Crisis of Washington’s “Keeping Families Together Act” | Elephant in the Dome PodcastView OnlineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 17, 2026MEDIA CONTACT:Staff ContactThe Crisis of Washington’s “Keeping Families Together Act” | Elephant in the Dome PodcastIn this episode of Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon sits down with foster parent and healthcare professional Tracie Jefferson.They dive deep into the devastating, unintended consequences of Washington State’s “Keeping Families Together Act,” examining how its high removal thresholds and systemic issues impact vulnerable children.
TRANSCRIPT
Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin
You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.
20 min - The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Is Washington Misdiagnosing the Homeless Crisis? | Jonathan Choe & Sen. Chris GildonView OnlineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJune 3, 2026MEDIA CONTACT:Staff ContactThe Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Is Washington Misdiagnosing the Homeless Crisis? | Jonathan Choe & Sen. Chris GildonIs housing really the solution to Washington’s homelessness crisis?Senator Chris Gildon and investigative journalist Jonathan Choe discuss why “Housing First” models are failing.They explore the impact of fentanyl, the lack of taxpayer accountability, and why treating addiction as a mental illness is the only way forward for Washington state.
Transcript: The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Is Washington Misdiagnosing the Homeless Crisis? | Jonathan Choe & Sen. Chris Gildon
Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin
You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.
14 min - Is This Law Killing Your Wallet? The Truth About WA Gas Prices on The Elephant in the Dome podcastView OnlineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 20, 2026MEDIA CONTACT:Staff ContactIs This Law Killing Your Wallet? The Truth About WA Gas Prices on The Elephant in the Dome podcastIn this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon and the Washington Policy Center’s Todd Myers break down Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Discover how this “cap-and-tax” law secretly targets your energy bills, driving gas prices up by 55 cents a gallon, and why Republicans are fighting to pause it.
TRANSCRIPT
Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin
You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.
19 min - Starbucks, Sonics, and the I-5 Bridge: Washington is more expensive because of Democrat policies and it’s affecting everyone and everythingView OnlineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 30, 2026MEDIA CONTACT:Staff ContactStarbucks, Sonics, and the I-5 Bridge: Washington is more expensive because of Democrat policies and it’s affecting everyone and everythingIs Washington losing its competitive edge? In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senate Republican Leader John Braun breaks down the affordability crisis hitting our state.From Starbucks’ Nashville expansion and record-breaking tax increases to the stalled progress on the I-5 Columbia River bridge, we examine how current policies are driving families and businesses away. We also take a timeout to talk sports—including the Supersonics, Seahawks, and Mariners—and share an important update on why Senator Braun is stepping away from the mic for a while.
TRANSCRIPT
Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin
You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.
28 min - Investigating DCYF: Oversight and Accountability for Washington’s Children on The Elephant in the Dome PodcastView OnlineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 23, 2026MEDIA CONTACT:Staff ContactInvestigating DCYF: Oversight and Accountability for Washington’s Children on The Elephant in the Dome PodcastSenate Republican Leader John Braun discusses the urgent need for oversight at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). He explores massive legal payouts for negligence, the impact of the “Keeping Families Together Act,” and how other states are handling similar agency failures through bipartisan investigation.
TRANSCRIPT
Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin
You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.
21 min - The High Cost of Gas and Energy: The Elephant in the Dome Podcast with Senator John BraunView OnlineFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 16, 2026MEDIA CONTACT:Staff ContactThe High Cost of Gas and Energy: The Elephant in the Dome Podcast with Senator John BraunSenate Republican Leader John Braun discusses Washington’s soaring energy costs. From record-high gas prices and the Climate Commitment Act to the future of nuclear power and data centers, Braun explores how state policies impact your wallet and outlines Republican solutions for a more affordable future.
TRANSCRIPT
Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin
You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.
23 min
About The Elephant in the Dome
From the publisher's feed
The official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus.
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