In this episode of “The Elephant in the Dome,” the official podcast of the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus, hosts Tracy Ellis and Laudan Espinoza are joined by Senate Republican Leader John Braun. They discuss Governor Bob Ferguson’s inaugural address and some key issues facing legislators. They also touch on the potential for new taxes […]

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Governor’s Inaugural Address, Budget Insights, and Legislative Updates appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

Washington State Association of Broadcasters and Allied Daily Newspapers of Washington legislative session preview Senate Republican Leader John Braun on Senate Republicans’ priorities Senator Chris Gildon on the need to identify the actual budget problem Senator Curtis King making more money from transportation taxes and fees available to transportation projects

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senate Republican Priorities, Budget Challenges and Transportation Funding appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

State Senate Democrats accidentally leak new tax plans. A bill seeks 100 million dollars to help hire more law-enforcement officers. A Senator wants to help illegal immigrants by repealing Washington’s sanctuary state status. Guests include: Sen. Chris Gildon, Sen. Jeff Holy, Sen. Phil Fortunato

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: New Democrat taxes, hiring more law enforcement, repealing sanctuary state status appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

As Democrats prepare for unilateral, supermajority control in Olympia, Republicans recall a more bipartisan era – 12 years ago, when the Majority Coalition Caucus, an historic alliance that ushered in a wave of critical reforms, came into existence.

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Majority Coalition Caucus versus single-party rule appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

Tens-of-millions of dollars set aside to protect schools from earthquakes is not getting spent, and state Senator Judy Warnick wants something done about it. The Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction is supposed to be distributing the money.

The post The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senator frustrated about bureaucratic delay of school earthquake protections appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.

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.