The Weekly Roundup | Monday, March 2 - Friday, March 6

Monday, March 2 - Friday, March 6

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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.

Braun

Republican Leader John Braun during floor debate, March 3, 2026

Press Releases:

NEWS: Sen. Matt Boehnke raises concerns after Senate votes to repeal Community Protection Program

Cut to Wahkiakum ferry is restored in Senate budget proposal

Wilson bills promoting kit homes, defining rural counties are sent to governor

Christian wins $300,000 appropriation for Spokane valley ice arena

Newsletters:

Social Media: 

Facebook

We are fighting to the very end against the income tax on everyone (SB 6346)!

Sen. Gildon's bill to remove the sales tax on food bank passes (SB 6006)!

Former AG Rob McKenna's golden quote against the income tax (SB 6346)

Executive branch employees under Gov. Bob Ferguson can double-dip to 190% of their salary

Legislative Democrat leaders mock the sign-in process; They are wrong

Senate Republican Leader Braun urges you to contact Democrat lawmakers to stop the income tax (SB 6346)

WA Democrats shamefully end the Community Protection Program (HB 1390)

The socialist job tax bill is dead (HB 2100)!

X

Another $1 billion wasted?!

Gov. Fox Ferguson in the hen house

Spotted in Olympia

Sen. Gildon slams the tax raising supplemental budget (SB 5998)

Sen. Jeff Wilson thanks everyone who signed-in CON against the Initiative Killer Bill 2.0 (SB 5973)

Instagram

It’s a beautiful day to fight against the income tax (SB 6346)

Facts about the income tax (SB 6346)

Former AG Rob McKenna shred the income tax on constitutionality (SB 6346) 

Podcasts:

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Washington income tax showdown? Braun reveals what happened in governor meeting

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: How an Income Tax Shapes the Budget—and Schools

Sen. Matt Boehnke: Income tax debate and budget update from Olympia

Videos:

Senate Republican Leader John Braun gives his weekly video update for the 2026 legislative session

Washington income tax showdown? Braun reveals what happened in governor meeting

Sen. Matt Boehnke: Safeguards must be written into law, not left to agencies

Sen. Matt Boehnke: Amendment seeks to add 500-foot safety buffer near schools and child care

Sen. Matt Boehnke urges reform, not repeal, of Community Protection Program

Sen. Mark Schoesler 2026 session week 8 update

TVW: Inside Olympia -- Senate Supplemental Budget with Sen. Chris Gildon

Sen. Phil Fortunato discusses zero based budget proposal

Sen. Jeff Wilson celebrates defeat of initiative killer bill

Why is the budget growing after promising “no increases”?

Sen. Judy Warnick has concerns over Senate budget proposal

Audio:

AUDIO: Republican Budget leader on proposed Senate operating budget: Too much spending, wrong priorities, and unsustainable

AUDIO: Senate releases 2026 capital budget proposal

AUDIO: Sen. Wagoner criticizes income tax plan and budget moves in Olympia on KGMI Radio

AUDIO: KOMW: Seventh District lawmakers push back on income tax, budget growth, and rural impacts

AUDIO: Sen. Goehner highlights income tax opposition, budget concerns, and local project funding on KOZI Radio

Webpages:

State budget proposals

Washington can’t afford it

Affordable solutions for Washington

Income tax: Unpopular, unconstitutional

Bad bills to watch:

SB 6346 Income Tax (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. Opponents argue 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. Critics also say 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.

Want more information on SRC activities? 

Quotes
Boehnke

From Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, following the Senate vote to repeal the Community Protection Program (SHB 1390):

"Several amendments were offered to maintain important safeguards, including a 500-foot buffer from schools and child care facilities and protections for providers and communities, but those proposals were rejected. I even heard members say the title ‘community protection’ was offensive, which I simply don’t understand. Protecting our communities should never be controversial. A 2021 report identified ways the program could be improved, and the responsible approach would have been to reform it and strengthen oversight — not eliminate it while rejecting amendments that would have preserved critical protections.”

Senate rostrum


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