[link removed]
Friend,
this is your weekly update on the latest news from Washington state. Make sure to forward this to someone you think should be informed!


** ACCOUNTABILITY
------------------------------------------------------------


** State CO2 Report Shows 86% of Washington’s Claimed Climate Benefits are Probably Fake
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
When the Department of Ecology released their report in November detailing the results of the Climate Commitment Act funded projects, they initially claimed 9 million metric tons of carbon emissions were removed from Washington's environment. Todd Myers read the report and found errors that wildly inflated these numbers and pointed it out. Even though the Department of Ecology acknowledged the error, they failed to make corrections or announce the mistake until WPC published Todd's findings. The Seattle Times published the department's correction, but failed to report on WPC's role in the exposure.
Read More ([link removed])


** AFFORDABILITY
------------------------------------------------------------


** What Happens When You Build a State Budget on the Most Volatile Tax Sources?
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
Not only is the proposed income tax unconstitutional, it's also unreliable. Attempting to balance the state's spending addiction with an income tax is a fool's errand, with income taxes being one of the most volatile revenue sources a state can have.
Read More ([link removed])


** READ MORE
------------------------------------------------------------
Seven Things
You Need to Know About the Governor's Budget Proposal

#4 - It proposes a $1 billion withdrawal from the rainy day fund

The governor's budget pulls about $1 billion from the state's Budget Stabilization Account (rainy day fund.) Of that, only $165 million is due to federal "cost shifts to Washington's budget." With the agency spending cuts included, most of the budget shortfall comes from decisions in Washington state, not Washington D.C.

Read the other six things here ([link removed]) !
[link removed]

The Real Cost of Coexistence: How Wolf Policies Are Failing Western Ranchers ([link removed]) : Ranch income is negatively impacted by the presence of wolves exponentially. A 2 percent calf loss equates to a 4 percent income loss, or about $5,000, while a 14 percent calf loss equates to a 34 percent income loss for a ranch, or about $42,000.


** OPPORTUNITY
------------------------------------------------------------


** SPEAK OUT:
USE WPC'S NEW TOOL TO TELL LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR TO OPPOSE NEW TAXES
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
Automatically email a "No New Taxes" message to the governor, your state senator and your state representatives using the form on WPC's TAKE ACTION page. Fill out the form and your state legislative delegation is automatically identified for you. Edit the draft email to reflect your voice and point of view, then click send and your message will be delivered to your legislators and the governor.

With Governor Ferguson announcing his support for an income tax, your voice is more important than ever before. In 2025, lawmakers passed the biggest tax increase in state history, but lawmakers are already talking about adding more. Meanwhile, Washington state’s business tax climate has deteriorated significantly, falling from 6th best in 2014 to 5th worst in 2025. And with taxpayers leaving the state at a rate of one every 30 minutes, we can't afford to keep the pattern of reckless spending going!
Visit the Take Action page today ([link removed]) and urge your friends to do the same!
TAKE ACTION ([link removed])


** FEATURED VIDEO
------------------------------------------------------------
What to Expect in the 2026 Legislative Session
[link removed]
Our legislative preview event yesterday was a comprehensive overview of what to expect this legislative session. From business taxes to education, each of our research experts gave analysis on what is likely to be debated and how they're working to hold government accountable and stop the constant attacks on your wallet.


** THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]

How Legislators Are Driving Up Food Costs
By Pam Lewison
Food isn't political, but that doesn't mean policy doesn't impact food.
WATCH HERE ([link removed])

[link removed]

Washington's $900 Million Road Problem | Charles Prestrud
By Charles Prestrud
The backlog of road maintenance needed presents the legislature with tough decisions ahead.
WATCH HERE ([link removed])

MORE HEADLINES ([link removed])


** FEATURED EVENT
------------------------------------------------------------
Washington Policy on the Go:
Mark Harmsworth & Ryan Frost
Legislators have officially gathered in Olympia for the 60 day legislative session. Join us live as we talk with Small Business Director Mark Harmsworth and Tax & Budget Director Ryan Frost about what proposals we can expect to see move forward, including taxes, business regulations, and permitting reform.

Register here! ([link removed])


** HOW MANY HAVE YOU SHARED?
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]

[link removed]

How many people you know would guess that Washington ranks 45th -- near the bottom -- for business taxes? Or that our state operating budget increased almost 49 percent (AFTER adjusting for inflation and population control) since the 2012-2015 budget? The legislative session is coming up quickly. To make informed decisions about how to best govern our state, we must acknowledge where we are. WPC's Report Card for Washington's Future gives you the data you need to cut through rhetoric and see where our state needs course correction.

GET THE FACTS ([link removed])
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed] Share ([link removed])
[link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fwashingtonpolicy.org%2Ftesting-testing-19227871 Share ([link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fwashingtonpolicy.org%2Ftesting-testing-19227871)
[link removed] Forward ([link removed])

============================================================
** ([link removed])
** READ ([link removed])
• ** WATCH ([link removed])
• ** JOIN ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Link ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
** YouTube ([link removed])
Copyright © 2026 Washington Policy Center, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you've subscribed to the WPC email list.

Our mailing address is:
Washington Policy Center
PO Box 3643
Seattle, Washington 98124
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]