LISTEN: GOPod - Washington State Senate Republicans

LISTEN: Sen. Curtis King looks at the challenges in the 2010 session

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:07:00 PST

14th District State Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, looks ahead to the 2010 session and discusses some of the challenges he and his colleagues will face, including reconciling a nearly two-billion dollar state deficit while finding more funding for imperative things like education and transportation.

LISTEN: Sen. Joseph Zarelli - Not the time for taxes

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:44:00 PST

Sen. Joseph Zarelli, Ranking Member on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, argues against raising taxes to deal with the state's continually worsening budget shortfall.

LISTEN: Sen. Joseph Zarelli - Pensions in peril

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:38:00 PST

Sen. Joseph Zarelli's Budget Tidbit on a recent report showing the financial condition of Washington's public pensions to be in a perilous state, requiring dramatic increases in taxpayer contributions over the next decade, while the oldest plans for teachers and public employees are at risk of running out of assets prematurely.

LISTEN: Parlette on her experiences during the 2009 Rising State Leaders Tour

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:40:00 PST

Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, discusses her experiences visiting Canada during the 2009 Rising State Leaders Tour.

LISTEN: Parlette testifies before Congress, urges reopening of Upper Stehekin Valley Road

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:50:00 PST

Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, testified today before the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Natural Resources' subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands, encouraging members to support a bill that would allow reopening of the Upper Stehekin Valley Road in the North Cascades National Park.

LISTEN: Sen. Joseph Zarelli on June's revenue forecast

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:27:00 PST

Sen. Joseph Zarelli, Senate Republican leader on the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council, issued this statement regarding the June quarterly revenue forecast he and other council members adopted this morning at the Capitol:

LISTEN: Sen. Mark Schoesler's post-session wrap up

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:02:00 PST

Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th Legislative District out of Ritzville, shares his thoughts on the final days of the 2009 legislative session

LISTEN: Sen. Dan Swecker on the compromise transportation budget proposal

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:45:00 PST

Sen. Dan Swecker of the 20th Legislative District (Rochester), the ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee, comments on the conference committee's version of the transportation budget.

LISTEN: Sen. Linda Evans Parlette on statewide transportation projects

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:48:00 PST

A key property tax bill co-sponsored by Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, passed the House of Representatives today. Senate Bill 5368 has now passed the Senate and the House of Representatives.

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:57:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics before the Washington State Senate.

LISTEN: Sen. Randi Becker on her impressions of the 2009 Legislative Session

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:42:00 PST

Senate Democrats launched a surprise attack on agriculture in our state with a bill that includes two of the cruelest proposals imaginable. Farmers would have to pay the hated business and occupation tax if their gross income is $200,000 or more, and farm auctions would be subject to the state sales tax.

LISTEN: Sen. Mark Schoesler with another weekly legislative update

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:18:00 PST

Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th Legislative District out of Ritzville, give this legislative update.

LISTEN: Sen. Dan Swecker on the proposal to close Green Hill school

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:16:00 PST

Sen. Dan Swecker of the 20th Legislative District (Rochester), the ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee, comments on the operating budget proposal to close Green Hill school.

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:49:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics before the Washington State Senate.

LISTEN: Sen. Mark Schoesler with a weekly legislative update

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:56:00 PST

Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th Legislative District out of Ritzville, give this legislative update.

LISTEN: Sen. Dan Swecker on the state income tax proposal

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:12:00 PST

The income-tax idea long has been seen as an alluring but toxic drink for politicians in Washington, and voters have rejected it many times. Republicans denounced the idea Thursday, and so did Gov. Chris Gregoire, who put out a statement opposing the concept.

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:31:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics including releasing inmates early to save the state money, the state income tax proposal, low timber bidding, and day labor.

LISTEN: Sen. Linda Evans Parlette on property tax valuation bill

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:41:00 PST

A key property tax bill co-sponsored by Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, passed the House of Representatives today. Senate Bill 5368 has now passed the Senate and the House of Representatives.

LISTEN: Sen. Linda Evans Parlette on young adult driver's licenses

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 10:28:00 PST

Substitute Senate Bill 5469, another Parlette-sponsored bill, also passed the House of Representatives today. Under the measure, a young driver with an intermediate drivers' license would not be put on probation if he or she is involved in an accident, a ticket was issued and the accident was not the fault of the young driver.

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:00:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics including the governor's choice to head the Department of Social and Health Services, a recent wolf kill in the 7th District, the Keller Ferry, and the House and Senate operating budget proposals.

LISTEN: Sen. Mike Carrell on cutting public safety from the majority's budget proposal

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:04:00 PST

The majority party's operating budget proposal would make deep cuts in the area of public safety, including letting felons out of prison early and not supervising the worst sex offenders. Sen. Carrell says that is not acceptable.

LISTEN: Sen. Joseph Zarelli comments on the operating budget proposal unveiled by the majority party

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:39:00 PST

Sen. Joseph Zarelli, Republican leader on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, issued this statement regarding the 2009-11 operating budget proposed today by Senate Democrats:

LISTEN: Sen. Dan Swecker reacts to the Senate majority's budget proposal

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:11:00 PST

Sen. Dan Swecker, 20th Legislative District out of Lewis County, talks about the Senate majority party's proposed operating budget for the state of Washington.

LISTEN: Sen. Honeyford reacts to the Senate majority's budget proposal

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:09:00 PST

Sen. Jim Honeyford, 15th Legislative District out of Sunnyside, talks about the Senate majority party's proposed operating budget for the state of Washington.

LISTEN: Sen. Mark Schoesler on the expected Senate majority budget proposal

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:34:00 PST

Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th Legislative District out of Ritzville, give his preview of the expected roll-out of the Senate majority party's budget.

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:14:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics including the banning lead weights on tires, a return to pay-as-you-go budgeting in an economic crisis, the employer gag bill, mileage taxes and the governor's cap-and-tax proposal.

LISTEN: Sen. Dan Swecker on the Senate transportation budget release

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:12:00 PST

Sen. Dan Swecker, 20th Legislative District out of Lewis County, talks about the transportation budget proposal unveiled this week by the Senate Transportation Committee, of which he is the ranking Republican.

LISTEN: Sen. Joseph Zarelli on his transparency bill and the revenue forecast

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:05:00 PST

The Senate Ways and Means Committee this afternoon unanimously backed Sen. Joseph Zarelli's effort to make the state operating budget easier to understand. Substitute Senate Bill 5073 would consolidate into the state's general fund all but two of the separate budget-related accounts that have proliferated in recent years.

LISTEN: Sen. Mark Schoesler on the new state revenue forecast

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:02:00 PST

Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th Legislative District out of Ritzville, comments on the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council's March quarterly revenue forecast.

LISTEN: Sen. Dan Swecker on the importance of defending traditional marriage

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:12:00 PST

Sen. Dan Swecker, 20th Legislative District out of Lewis County, makes comments after a speech on the steps of the capitol surround by thousands of supporters in favor of traditional marriage.

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:27:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics including the state revenue forecast (budget deficit), the state Fish and Wildlife Department, domestic partnerships, the governor's cap-and-tax energy plan, water banking, fish hatcheries, and pay-as-you-go budgeting.

LISTEN: The Good, Bad and Goofy Bills at Cutoff

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:02:00 PST

Sen. Mark Schoesler, 9th Legislative District out of Ritzville, comments on the unusual number of bad bills that passed out of the Senate before cutoff. He also talks about some of the good bills that passed and some of the just plain goofy bills that made it to the floor.

LISTEN: Brandland Bill Giving Teachers Access to PEBB Passes as Study

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:21:00 PST

Brandland's legislation would have freed up funds for local school districts, which spend a significant portion of locally generated funds on health benefits for their employees. It also would have allowed teachers to choose from benefit plan options that are generally more affordable.

LISTEN: Sen. Don Benton says Democrats pushed through an unlimited sales tax increase

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:55:00 PST

For Clark County, the bill would allow a "gerrymandered" corridor around the Westfield Mall in Vancouver. It would take only half of the voters in that small area to approve a new sales tax to pay for a light rail project, while everyone who shops at the mall would pay the tax.

LISTEN: Sen. Dan Swecker on confirming the deep bore tunnel option to replace Seattle's viaduct

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:34:00 PST

Now it is important for everyone to work together quickly to get the project started and finished, so we can move citizens off the dangerous elevated viaduct. I know this process will be extensive, but I also know the result will be well worth it.

LISTEN: Sen. Dan Swecker on protecting jobs in Lewis County

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:18:00 PST

Those who are touting "green-collar" jobs as the future (or, depending on who's talking, the economic salvation) of our state aren't inclined to be friendly toward a place where people wearing blue and white collars turn coal into energy, even if they are doing so with modern technologies.

LISTEN: Sen. Don Benton amendment would enact Jessica's Law

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:29:00 PST

Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, today proposed an amendment to a sex- offender bill so first-degree rape of a child would become punishable by a mandatory 25-year sentence and lifetime supervision. His amendment would also make murder committed by a sexually violent predator an "aggravated" crime subject to the death penalty.

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:29:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics including decriminalizing drug overdoses, adding more wood waste plants in eastern Washington, extending the B and O tax to farmers and other issues.

LISTEN: Sen. Jerome Delvin on tightening the state's sexual misconduct law

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:12:00 PST

Richland Sen. Jerome Delvin is one step closer to protecting every secondary school student in Washington from teacher sexual misconduct with today's unanimous Senate vote for Substitute Senate Bill 5232.

LISTEN: Sen. Joseph Zarelli Resolution to Save Extra Revenue Survives

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:09:00 PST

Senate Joint Resolution 8209 is the latest in a line of lessons-learned fiscal legislation that created the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council following the state's 1981-83 budget crisis and most recently produced the state rainy-day fund in 2007...

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:29:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics including the state patrol's Chief for a Day program, the employer gag bill which bans freedom of speech, an essential worker pilot program, and giving state scholorships to illegal immigrants.

LISTEN: Sen. Honeyford Amends Cap and Tax Bill in Committee

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:16:00 PST

All four Republican members of the committee voted against Senate Bill 5735, which in its original form would have created a regional cap-and-tax system, but were joined by two Democrats in supporting a successful substitute bill and amendment that mitigate many of the worst components of the legislation.

LISTEN: Sen. Dale Brandland on Giving Teachers Access to PEBB

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:36:00 PST

Brandland believes this legislation would free funds for local school districts, which spend a significant portion of locally generated funds on health benefits for their employees. It also means employees should be able to choose from benefit plan options that are generally more affordable...

LISTEN: Sen. Joseph Zarelli on New Revenue Forecast Putting State $8.2 Billion Short

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:49:00 PST

While the Legislature waits, non-entitlement caseloads grow, salary increases for union employees continue to be granted, and agencies seeking flexibility to make cuts are hamstrung. The cost of this inaction is ultimately lost savings opportunities, and this means one of three things...

LISTEN: Sen. Mike Carrell on Weakening the state's Three Strikes Law

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:52:00 PST

In this economic crisis, there are places where the Legislature should not make cuts just to save money. Public safety is one of those areas. The net effect of passing SB 5292 would be that many dangerous, repeat offenders would suddenly be back out on the street.

LISTEN: Sen. Dan Swecker on his bills creating a Tri-County Flood Authority

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:01:00 PST

This year's flooding once again drives home the great need for a tri-county flood authority. We need a more comprehensive way to deal with crisis flooding.

LISTEN: Sen. Linda Evans Parlette on Health Care for Young Adults

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:21:00 PST

Sen. Linda Evans Parlette discusses her health care for young adults proposal that was heard in the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee. The proposal would offer health care to the largest uninsured portion of the state's population, cost nothing to taxpayers and yet it may not even be passed out of committee.

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 10:57:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics including water use restrictions for agriculture, creating fire ponds to help rural areas put out fires and body-grip traps for pack rats.

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:19:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics including President Lincoln's birthday, keeping the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, banning studded snow tires in Washington, off-road vehicle laws, and a citizen-generated state budget.

LISTEN: Sen. Randi Becker testifies in favor of her agri-business bill, SB 5817

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:44:00 PST

LISTEN: Sen. Mark Schoesler on a Business and Occupations Tax on Farmers and Sales Tax on Farm Auctions

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:04:00 PST

LISTEN: Sen. Dan Swecker on Telecommuting as a Transportation Solution

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:55:00 PST

With the state facing a budget deficit currently projected near $7 billion, lawmakers are searching for ways to help reduce the cost to state government. Sen. Dan Swecker of Rochester found that by increasing the number of telecommuters in the state, we could reduce transportation costs by 10 percent.

LISTEN: Sen. Bob Morton - Weekly Legislative Update

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:34:00 PST

Sen. Bob Morton gives his weekly legislative update on topics including lead shot, burn bans, a governor proposal to cap carbon emissions by taxing businesses that do not meet the arbitrary mandate, and a four-day school week proposal.