Given the most recent revenue forecast shows Washingtonians continue to overpay billions in state taxes, here are a handful of positive actions Democrats could take if they would just cooperate with Republicans.
Shift Washington
Friends,

Our state’s much-anticipated legislative-session revenue forecast was released yesterday. It showed that while the economy is slowing down, revenues are continuing to climb, with the state taking in $194 million more in the current budget cycle (ending June 30) than was projected last November.

That will bring total revenue growth to 20.7% for this two-year budget over the last one - the fifth straight biennial period featuring a double-digit increase in state revenue (thanks to the tax increases which Jay Inslee promised to veto when he first ran for governor in 2012). Though Inslee and his fellow Democrats attempted to downplay the latest revenue increase, by saying that they will now have less money to spend than they had planned - though it’s more than they are spending now.

The reality remains that our state is still collecting a record amount of taxes from hardworking Washingtonians. The next state budget, which actually starts this July, is still projected to grow by 2.4%, and the one beyond that (for July 2025-27) will be up another 7.1%.

However, the reality is that most economic indicators point to unsettling times. Recent high inflation on necessary goods means families have tightened their wallets. If there was any time to reduce taxes and ease cost burdens, it’s now.

Yet the Democrats in charge of our state have proved – time and again – that they are only interested in gaining more power by expanding government. They refuse to relieve economic pressure on Washington families.

Given the most recent revenue forecast shows Washingtonians continue to overpay billions in state taxes, here are a handful of positive actions Democrats could take if they would just cooperate with Republicans:

  • Reduce the state’s share of the regressive sales tax
  • Ease the burdensome property tax
  • Repeal the unconstitutional state income tax capital gains
  • Suspend the state’s excessive gas tax
  • Repeal the oppressive cap-and-trade tax
  • Abolish the unjust state death tax
  • Reform the destructive business and occupation tax
  • Repeal the long-term care payroll tax