The Elephant in the Dome

By Tracy EllisNews Government News Commentary Politics

The Elephant in the Dome episodes

April 04, 2024 Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senator Mike Padden will not seek reelection to the state Senate
After four decades of public service, state Senator Mike Padden is calling it a career. The Spokane Valley Republican will not seek reelection to the Senate.
The post Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Senator Mike Padden will not seek reelection to the state Senate appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.
8 min
March 22, 2024 Elephant in the Dome Podcast: A look back at the Legislative Session and a senator says goodbye
Senate Republican Leader John Braun says the three new laws on police pursuits, parental rights and income taxes that came from the citizens of the state highlight the session. He also talks about tax increase proposals, homelessness and rent control. Senator Lynda Wilson announced that she would not be returning to the Senate after ten […]
The post Elephant in the Dome Podcast: A look back at the Legislative Session and a senator says goodbye appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.
7 min
March 15, 2024 Elephant in the Dome Podcast: The natural gas ban – HB 1589 – selling out Washington families for corporate interests
Democrats in the state Legislature passed a bill requested by Puget Sound Energy that insulates PSE from paying for state-mandated carbon-reduction goals by cutting off gas natural service to its customers. Listen to what Republican Senators John Braun, Chris Gildon, Drew MacEwen, Perry Dozier, Shelly Short and Matt Boehnke have to say about it.
The post Elephant in the Dome Podcast: The natural gas ban – HB 1589 – selling out Washington families for corporate interests appeared first on Senate Republican Caucus.
7 min
March 07, 2024 Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Initiatives to the Legislature: Three pass, three go to the ballot in November

Citizens collected more than 2.3 million signatures to put six initiatives before the Legislature.

Three of the initiatives received a hearing and a vote. All three passed with bipartisan support.
Majority Democrats refused to give hearings to the remaining three initiatives, so they will go to the ballot in November.
Sens. John Braun and Mark Schoesler talk about them.

5 min
March 01, 2024 Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Democrat bill expected to put stores out of business
Many small Washington stores may be forced out of business by a bill passed by legislative Democrats.
The legislation calls for employee background checks and several very expensive security requirements.
It forces businesses to buy and maintain costly audio/video surveillance systems with months of data storage and carry one million dollars of liability insurance.
Senators John Braun, Lynda Wilson, Keith Wagoner, Perry Dozier and Phil Fortunato say only one type of small business would be targeted in this way – gun stores.
10 min
February 24, 2024 Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Legislative Democrats holding hearings on some of the initiatives to the Legislature
Legislative Democrats are allowing hearings on some of the six initiatives to the Legislature. Senate Republican Leader John Braun and Senator Matt Boehnke react to the Democrats’ decision to hold the hearings and their outspoken opposition to the three initiatives that essentially provide tax relief to Washingtonians.
7 min
February 16, 2024 Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Rent control, natural gas restrictions, striking worker unemployment, and initiatives’ impact on state budget
Bills that passed in the House are now in the Senate and Senator John Braun has some concerns about the ones related to rent control, the availability of natural gas to people and businesses who need it, and allowing striking workers to collect unemployment insurance.
Senator Chris Gildon has some insights on how the initiatives might affect the state budget.

5 min
February 10, 2024 Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Democrat property tax increase bill dies after Senate Republican news conference
Democrat legislation that could have led to the largest property tax increase in state history is dead. The Democrat sponsor of the bill that would have allowed annual property tax growth to triple announced that it will not be brought up for a vote this year. That decision followed a Senate Republican news conference on the measure where Senator Chris Gildon pointed out Democrats’ hypocrisy and Senator Drew MacEwen said Senate Democrats just don’t listen.
6 min
February 02, 2024 Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Excitement over 6 Initiatives and concerns about the Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Senate Republican Floor Leader Shelly Short explains why she’s excited about the six initiatives to the Legislature and Senate Republican Leader John Braun talks about his concerns with the Green Hill School in his district and the agency that runs it, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families
4 min
January 26, 2024 Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Recovery Washington
Senate Republicans are calling for a stronger response to Washington’s opioid crisis with a package of bills aimed at preventing overdoses, coordinating state efforts to promote treatment and recovery, and restoring funding for multijurisdictional law enforcement drug task forces. The bills give the state new tools to lead the fight against opioid addiction and overdose deaths.
Senators Chris Gildon, John Braun, and Lynda Wilson unveil the Recovery Washington package.
9 min