COMMENTARY: The answer to our state’s high taxes is a revolt at the ballot box
Do the people of Washington have it worse than Americans did 250 years ago when it comes to taxation? It’s a timely question as we approach the semiquincentennial of the Declaration of Independence – and the answer is at least a qualified “yes.” The 27 complaints laid out by the Founding Fathers include how the […]
WA Supreme Court rules “Necessity Clause” shields new income tax law from voter referendum
OLYMPIA [JERRY CORNFIELD & JAKE GOLDSTEN-STREET]—Washington’s Supreme Court on Monday, May 4, denied Let’s Go Washington’s, a conservative political committee, request to pursue an attempt to repeal the state’s new income tax law with a referendum this fall. The opposition can still move forward with an initiative to overturn the tax on millionaire earners. But […]
EXCLUSIVE: Records reveal WA millionaire’s tax is meant to legalize progressive income tax
[THE CENTER SQUARE]—According to nearly 1,000 pages of public records reviewed by The Center Square, the Washington Attorney General’s Office and Democratic leaders discussed strategies to challenge and potentially overturn the 1933 state Supreme Court decision that banned income taxes in Washington state. Link to key emails obtained by The Center Square. “I would like […]
Tension rising over how to spend revenue from proposed WA income tax
OLYMPIA [Bill Lucia] — A day after the Washington state Senate approved an income tax on millionaire earners, Gov. Bob Ferguson said he’s still not satisfied with the bill. He’s previously preached the need to pump a significant portion of the proceeds toward tax relief. On Tuesday, he said lawmakers hadn’t gone far enough and […]
Proposed ‘Billionaire Tax’ in California results in an exodus of $700+ billion in wealth
With all this talk about a Millionaires’ Tax in Washington state, California may provide a crystal ball into what may happen here in the Evergreen State. After passing a “Millionaires’ Tax” in 2004, then a “Very-High Earner” tax on those making over $250,000 passed in 2012, now Californians may be hit with a new “Billionaire […]
What’s on the agenda for Washington’s 2026 legislative session
With a looming $1.6 billion to $2.3 billion budget shortfall hanging over the Washington state legislature, House and Senate leaders and Governor Bob Ferguson presented differing proposals to address the issue. Three panels of House and Senate leaders discussed the state’s transportation budget and general fund, while Ferguson renewed his support for a “millionaire tax.” […]
Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins touches on Democratic priorities ahead of 2026 legislative session
OLYMPIA—With lawmakers returning to Olympia on January 12, 2026, the Lynnwood Times met with Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) to discuss the Washington State House Democrat Caucus’ priorities going into the 2026 legislative session. At the highest level, Jinkins said, the party will be seeking to “protect Washingtonians from federal overreach” – a […]
WA GOP budget lead blasts Ferguson’s budget plan as ‘a complete joke’
[The Center Square]—Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson released his proposed 2026 supplemental budget on Tuesday, the deadline for presenting it. Ferguson’s proposed budget totals $79 billion and aims to address a projected $2.3 billion shortfall through a combination of cost-saving reductions and targeted spending in housing, education and infrastructure. “I want to be clear that […]
