Ferguson rejects both House and Senate budgets, dismissing tax hikes and wealth tax
OLYMPIA—Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson said he will not be signing off on either House or Senate 2025-27 operating budget proposals during a press conference Tuesday, April 1, explaining he cannot stand by the tax hikes proposed, especially during a time of federal uncertainty. [Watch video of Ferguson budget presser at end of article]. “Hope […]
Washington House passes $78 billion state operating budget, Senate and governor to weigh in
The Washington state House passed its operating budget just after midnight on Tuesday, setting the stage for negotiations with the Senate and the governor on a spending blueprint to address a looming multi-billion-dollar shortfall. The House approved the two-year $77.8 billion operating budget on a 54-44 vote in which five Democrats joined all Republicans in opposition. The five Democrats who […]
Ferguson lays out $4 billion plan to reduce state spending
OLYMPIA—Governor-elect Bob Ferguson announced his budget priorities, including a plan to save approximately $4.4 billion to address the more than $12 billion projected Washington state budget shortfall over the next four years. Ferguson will be sworn in as Governor at noon on January 15. “Washingtonians expect us to govern efficiently while upholding our shared values,” […]
Lawmaker proposes reallocating sales taxes for transportation budget
OLYMPIA (The Center Square)—Washington lawmaker, Senator Curtis King, R-Yakima, wants to shore up the state’s transportation budget by gradually increasing the proportion of sales taxes on vehicles currently dedicated to the general fund to be reallocated to the transportation budget over a six-year period. Proposed Senate Bill 5026 for the 2025 session offered by Senator King, […]
Making sense of Washington state’s multi-billion-dollar budget hole
OLYMPIA (The Washington Standard)—Washington state’s budget is, to put it nicely, in a world of hurt. There’s a big gap between what the state is collecting in taxes and what it needs to pay for its commitments in education, human services, health care, corrections and other day-to-day government operations. On paper, the chasm is billions […]
Washington state wants to increase bureaucrats’ salaries by $1.3 billion despite claims the state is facing a budget shortfall
When Jay Inslee took the job as Governor in 2013, the state’s annual operating budget was approximately $38.4 billion. After 12 years of the Inslee administration, the state is now spending almost twice as much per year, $75.5 billion. Yet, despite this massive increase in state spending, legislators are claiming that they will need another $10-12 billion over the […]
Inslee proposes $3.5 billion Capital Gains tax in 2021–2023 budget proposal
By Office of the Governor The next biennium remains more than $3.3 billion below where it was before the pandemic hit. A new 9% tax to capital gains earnings above $25,000 for individuals and $50,000 for joint filers. A new capital gains tax on the sale of stocks, bonds and other assets. Exemptions are provided […]
