The Elephant in the Dome

View Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Contact Former Gov. Chris Gregoire: Is Washington Losing Its Competitive Edge? | Elephant in the DomeIs Washington losing its competitive edge? Former Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire joins Sen. Chris Gildon on The Elephant in the Dome to discuss growing concerns about the state’s business climate — and what Washington can do to remain a place where businesses grow, jobs are created and families can afford to live. Gregoire, who now leads Challenge Seattle, discusses a new economic development initiative focused on strengthening the Puget Sound region’s competitiveness. In this conversation: Why Washington’s business climate is raising concerns How overlapping taxes and regulations affect businesses Opportunities in aerospace, technology, maritime and defense Why faster permitting could help address housing costs Lessons from the Great Recession about responsible state budgeting Why Gregoire believes economic competitiveness should be a nonpartisan priority Despite coming from different political backgrounds, Gregoire and Gildon find common ground on the importance of jobs, affordability and Washington’s economic future. Learn more about Challenge Seattle: https://challengeseattle.com/ Subscribe for more conversations about the issues affecting Washington residents. TRANSCRIPT Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.

View Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Contact The Cost of Crime: Unpacking Washington State’s Organized Retail Theft CrisisHosted by Senator Chris Gildon, this episode of The Elephant in the Dome features Washington Retail Association guests Jan Himebaugh and Crystal Leatherman. Together, they explore Washington’s escalating organized retail crime crisis, examine its connection to broader illegal networks, and discuss actionable solutions to rebuild accountability. TRANSCRIPT Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.

View Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 30, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Contact Decoding 340B: The $81 Billion Drug Discount Program Explained | The Elephant in the DomeIn this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon hosts Senator Ron Muzzall the ranking Republican on the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee. They break down the complex 340B Drug Pricing Program—a federal initiative designed to help safety-net health clinics and hospitals acquire discounted prescription medication for low-income patients. They discuss how the program expanded from $12 billion to $81 billion, the balance between supporting struggling community hospitals and keeping private insurance costs manageable, and the legal battle surrounding Senate Bill 5981. TRANSCRIPT Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.

View Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Contact Elephant in the Dome Podcast—Ferguson’s Gas Crisis, Shaky Budgets, America @ 250 w/Sen. Chris GildonIn this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon pulls back the curtain on the real issues facing Washington. From the controversial impacts of the Climate Commitment Act on gas prices and utility bills to a deep dive into Olympia’s looming budget shortfall, Sen. Gildon breaks down the numbers that the majority party isn’t talking about. Plus, hear a unique perspective on America’s 250th milestone from a veteran who has served both in the military and the state legislature. Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.

View Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 17, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Contact The Crisis of Washington’s “Keeping Families Together Act” | Elephant in the Dome PodcastIn this episode of Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon sits down with foster parent and healthcare professional Tracie Jefferson. They dive deep into the devastating, unintended consequences of Washington State’s “Keeping Families Together Act,” examining how its high removal thresholds and systemic issues impact vulnerable children. TRANSCRIPT Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.

View Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 3, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Contact The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Is Washington Misdiagnosing the Homeless Crisis? | Jonathan Choe & Sen. Chris GildonIs housing really the solution to Washington’s homelessness crisis? Senator Chris Gildon and investigative journalist Jonathan Choe discuss why “Housing First” models are failing. They explore the impact of fentanyl, the lack of taxpayer accountability, and why treating addiction as a mental illness is the only way forward for Washington state. https://src.wastateleg.org/blog/transcript-elephant-dome-podcast-washington-misdiagnosing-homeless-crisis-jonathan-choe-sen-chris-gildon/ Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.

View Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 20, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Contact Is This Law Killing Your Wallet? The Truth About WA Gas Prices on The Elephant in the Dome podcastIn this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senator Chris Gildon and the Washington Policy Center’s Todd Myers break down Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. Discover how this “cap-and-tax” law secretly targets your energy bills, driving gas prices up by 55 cents a gallon, and why Republicans are fighting to pause it. TRANSCRIPT Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.

View Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Contact Starbucks, Sonics, and the I-5 Bridge: Washington is more expensive because of Democrat policies and it’s affecting everyone and everythingIs Washington losing its competitive edge? In this episode of The Elephant in the Dome, Senate Republican Leader John Braun breaks down the affordability crisis hitting our state. From Starbucks’ Nashville expansion and record-breaking tax increases to the stalled progress on the I-5 Columbia River bridge, we examine how current policies are driving families and businesses away. We also take a timeout to talk sports—including the Supersonics, Seahawks, and Mariners—and share an important update on why Senator Braun is stepping away from the mic for a while. TRANSCRIPT Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.

View Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 23, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Contact Investigating DCYF: Oversight and Accountability for Washington’s Children on The Elephant in the Dome PodcastSenate Republican Leader John Braun discusses the urgent need for oversight at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). He explores massive legal payouts for negligence, the impact of the “Keeping Families Together Act,” and how other states are handling similar agency failures through bipartisan investigation. TRANSCRIPT Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.

View Online FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: Staff Contact The High Cost of Gas and Energy: The Elephant in the Dome Podcast with Senator John BraunSenate Republican Leader John Braun discusses Washington’s soaring energy costs. From record-high gas prices and the Climate Commitment Act to the future of nuclear power and data centers, Braun explores how state policies impact your wallet and outlines Republican solutions for a more affordable future. TRANSCRIPT Washington State Legislature | Official Legislative Email Bulletin You are receiving this update because you subscribed to email communications from this legislative office. To manage your topic subscriptions or update your subscriber profile, visit GovDelivery.