The Weekly Roundup | Monday, Feb. 16 - Friday, Feb. 20

Monday, Feb. 16 - Friday, Feb. 20

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A weekly summary of Senate Republican Caucus content, featuring links to videos, radio and podcast appearances, press releases, social media posts, priority bills, and a short list of bad bills to watch.

Media Availability

Senate Republican Caucus and House Republican Caucus media availability, 2026.

Press Releases:

Statement: Republican leaders on income tax: unconstitutional, undemocratic

Sen. Matt Boehnke’s bill streamlining financial aid tracking for high school students passes Senate unanimously

Lawmakers from 10th District to host in-person community town hall in Oak Harbor on February 21

Income tax would hit all of us, not just ‘millionaires,’ Christian warns

STATEMENT: Republicans continue push for affordability amid wave of tax proposals

Senate Democrats pass pile of bills undermining affordability out of committee

Income tax bill is betrayal of the people, Wilson says

Newsletters:

Social Media: 

Facebook

Sign-in CON on SB 6346, the income tax on everyone (SB 6346) for the House hearing

WA Democrats reject amendment 696, which ensures the “Millionaire’s Tax” is only for millionaires

Good news! The Initiative Killer Bill 2.0 is DEAD!

WA Senate Republican Leader Responds to Income Tax Bill Passing the Senate

Anti-Sheriff Bill (SB 5974) Would Unseat a Duly Elected Sheriff if Passed

WA SRC Deputy Budget Leader Sen. Nikki Torres Slams Senate for Passing Income Tax Bill (SB 6346)

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NO MORE TAXES Rally and Sign-in CON on SB 6346

Income Tax (SB 6346) passes Senate and vote breakdown

Sen. Nikki Torres explains the economic damage the income tax would have if passed

Sen. Phil Fortunato tells a story about the origins of the income tax bill (SB 6346)

Instagram

Sen. Paul Harris explains how the income tax would make WA more unaffordable

Homebuilder says income tax bill would drive away jobs

Podcasts:

What I think… about laws, rights, and unintended consequences

Legislative Update—Protecting Children from fentanyl exposure—Senate Republican Leader John Braun

Audio:

KOMW: Income tax, farmworker overtime, housing regulations, wildfire funding

AUDIO: Republican leaders on state income tax, unconstitutional, undemocratic

Videos:

Senate Republican Leader John Braun updates us on the 2026 Legislative Session

Sen. Matt Boehnke’s Olympia Update: Feb. 21 town hall, anti-sheriff bill and income tax vote

Sen. Chris Gildon speaks in opposition to the income tax bill, SB 6346

Sen. Nikki Torres speaks out against Senate Bill 6346: “This income tax will hurt small businesses”

Sen. Shelly Short speaks against the income tax bill, SB 6346

Sen. Matt Boehnke: This income tax bill is a “gateway drug” to taxing everyone

Senator Keith Wagoner amendment on men and women in same jail cell in anti-sheriff bill

Sen. Leonard Christian speaks on the Senate floor again the income tax bill, SB 6346

Webpages:

Income Tax: unpopular, unconstitutional

The People’s Initiatives: Giving parents a voice and protecting fairness in girls’ sports

Bad bill to watch:

SB 6346 (Pedersen): Establishes a new state income tax starting at 9.9% on income over $1 million, projected to raise roughly $4 billion per year while returning only a small share in tax reductions. The tax is framed as targeting only high earners but creates a precedent for a broader income tax that could be expanded over time, adds a new revenue stream without significant offsetting relief, and includes provisions that limit voter referendum options. The proposal increases long-term tax burdens, risks Washington’s competitive advantage as a no-income-tax state, and directs most new revenue to government spending rather than meaningful tax reform.

Tell Democratic legislators that you OPPOSE the income tax bill:

Want more information on SRC activities? 

Quotes
Gildon

From Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, Senate Republican budget leader, responding to a slate of tax proposals advanced by the Democratic majority:

“The majority party started this week by passing an income tax they claimed would make our system more affordable and less regressive — yet just days later, they’re advancing nearly a billion dollars in new taxes and fees that do the exact opposite. This is now officially the largest taxing week of the century in Washington state.

“That juxtaposition tells you everything. For Senate Republicans, ‘affordability’ has always been a governing principle — not just a talking point. You can’t make life more affordable by making it more expensive.

“Raising taxes is the easy way out of a shortfall and only enables the poor spending decisions that turned the budget upside‑down in the first place. It’s time for some fiscal accountability in Olympia, not another round of taking from hardworking Washingtonians.”

Senate rostrum


Testifying in Committee:

 

Washington has one of the nation’s most open legislatures, with most bills receiving public committee hearings before reaching the full Legislature.

 

Participate by:

 

1. Written testimony.

 

2. Noting your position.

 

3. Testify remotely or in person.

You can also create a legislative account to speed up sign-up.

Instructions are available here.

 

Other helpful links:

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