Tax-first Democrats desperate to blame feds for state’s budget trouble
One of the most enduring lines in conservative politics came from President Reagan’s campaign debates — the “there you go again” reply that so effectively called out his Democrat opponents when they made misleading or hypocritical claims. That came to mind when I read Gov. Bob Ferguson’s Sept. 23 statement about the state’s third quarterly […]
WA public lands commissioner wants $100 million boost for wildfire funding
Washington’s public lands commissioner is asking the Legislature for roughly $100 million more to prevent and fight wildfires. Dave Upthegrove wants a $60 million boost for wildfire prevention funding that was shortchanged in the last legislative session. Plus, he is seeking $44.8 million more for wildfire fighting for the 2026 fiscal year, which runs through […]
Billions of dollars in new sales tax on services take effect on Oct 1
A contentious new sales tax on services that Democratic state lawmakers relied on to pay for Washington’s latest 2025-2027 biennium state budget—former Governor Jay Inslee (D) last proposed state budget before leaving office— is set to take effect Wednesday, October 1. Senate Bill 5814 is one of the biggest moneymakers used to bring in an estimated […]
Washington state projects $903 million less revenue through 2029
OLYMPIA—Washington state is projecting a $903 million decrease in Near General Fund revenue collections through 2029 from its June 2025 forecast, according to estimates released Tuesday by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC). According to ERFC, “The changes in the forecast are primarily the result of a weaker taxable sales forecast for […]
Ferguson signs $77.8 billion budget with largest tax hike in WA state history at $9.4 billion
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson entered office warning that a $16 billion dollar budget shortfall over the next four years would require spending cuts and, as a last resort, higher taxes. On Tuesday, the first-term Democrat appeared satisfied with lawmakers’ work to close the financial gap, signing a two-year state budget and a tax package to produce […]
Washington legislators pass $78 billion biennium operating budget
This year’s 105-day Washington state legislative session was in many ways a trudge. There was a multibillion-dollar budget deficit to solve. Sharp debate on parental rights and capping rent increases. Clashes over tax policy. Tensions between the new Democratic governor and legislators in his own party. And the unexpected deaths of a sitting senator and a […]
Republicans disrupt budget conversation with no-new-taxes, no-cuts plan
Being on the minority side in the state Senate means playing defense against a lot of bad pieces of legislation, but there are times when we can still take satisfaction in a job well done. One way or another, and at one stage or another in the lawmaking process, Senate Republicans managed to keep hundreds […]
Ferguson delivers new plan to slash up to half of state’s $15 billion budget deficit
OLYMPIA—Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson announced his plan to slash an additional $4 billion of the state’s $15 billion budget deficit. The Governor said he hopes to continue working with the legislature to figure out how to deal with the remaining $8 billion dollars to end the legislative session with a “balanced budget.” “[O]ur state […]
As 2025 session begins, here’s what to expect from Senate Republicans
Note: This article on the 2025 legislative session was written prior to Governor Ferguson’s swearing-in and inaugural speech Jan. 15 Those of us who take to heart President Lincoln’s words that government is “of the people” appreciate being asked to offer a forecast of an upcoming 2025 session. Our constituents and others, such as the […]
Legislature convenes Monday: Priorities, pessimism and political realities
The mood heading into Washington state’s 2025 legislative session January 13 is not exactly hopeful. According to the Cascade PBS/Elway poll, a majority of voters feel the state is headed in the wrong direction. Many Democrats and Republicans agree that the outlook for the state is bleak, with more than half of those surveyed saying […]
