State Representatives McClintock and Ley answer questions at town hall in Battle Ground

State Representatives Stephanie McClintock and John Ley, republicans from the 18th Legislative District, held a town hall Saturday in Battle Ground. Photo by Paul Valencia

McClintock has a scary prediction regarding the future of the income tax that Democrats just passed, and Ley was in his element when answering questions about the new Interstate Bridge, a project he calls a boondoggle

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

It was scheduled for 90 minutes.

The official question-and-answer period lasted for 110 minutes.

Then the representatives stayed beyond that to answer more questions individually.

State representatives Stephanie McClintock and John Ley of the 18th Legislative District held a town hall Saturday in Battle Ground, giving the Washington House Republicans 2026 session recap as well as answering questions on local issues.

State Representative John Ley shows off his “No Income Tax” tie that he wore at a recent debate on the house floor. He had to remove the tie because it was deemed a prop. Still, he said, he got his point across during the debate. Photo by Paul Valencia

Schools and school levies.

Taxes.

The Interstate Bridge.

And more.

McClintock gave a frightening prediction of what the new so-called millionaire income tax will actually become in the very near future. Hint: It won’t be just for millionaires for very long.

Ley, predictably, took the lead in answering questions regarding the proposed new Interstate Bridge, light rail, and tolls.

“We are your representatives and we can only represent you if we hear what your concerns are. I love any opportunity to meet,” Ley said.

As this town hall took place in Battle Ground, there were a few questions regarding the recent votes for levies for Battle Ground Public Schools. Those votes failed.

McClintock and Ley said they understood both sides of the issue.

“We are a purple district. People don’t necessarily not support schools, but they are struggling themselves,” McClintock said.

“People, generally speaking, love their public schools but they say, ‘I can’t afford this,’” Ley said.

Ley noted that a constituent recently showed him his property taxes for the past 11 years on a small home built in 1942. In 2014, the tax was $1,345. Last year, it was more than $3,000. If taxes were just at the rate of inflation, Ley said, it would be around $1,800 today.

A man at the town hall stood up to say his property taxes have gone up 21 percent in the last three years. On a fixed income, he said, he is having a tough time saying yes to any more increases.

Two men said their families were thinking of leaving Washington.

“That’s what I’m hearing. There are people who support kids, but they can’t afford it,” McClintock said. “We need to be sensitive to both issues and be careful that we are not bashing people who don’t vote for it.”

Ley just completed his second year as a representative at the state legislature. He said he jotted down some notes after the most recent session. He said he was “stunned” at the amount of taxation the past two years. He noted the largest tax increase in state history last year for the general fund, plus the added property taxes and sales taxes.

And now, the so-called millionaires tax.

Ley also showed off his “No Income Tax” tie, a tie that he wore on the house floor during the session for about 90 minutes until he was forced to remove the tie. It was considered a prop, he was told.

“I delight in doing anything I can to share your concerns about taxation,” Ley said. “At the end of the day, I just want you to keep most of your money.”

As far as the new income tax, Ley wanted to emphasize that it is not a tax on millionaires.

“It’s an income tax with a million-dollar standard deduction. The important part of that, with a simple majority, the legislature can reduce that standard deduction,” Ley said. “Ultimately it will come down to hit each and every one of you.”

McClintock had an even more ominous observation.

“The courts will say it is an unfair tax because it’s not taxing everyone. It’s singling out a group. That will give the governor and the legislature carte blanche to tax everyone,” McClintock said. “That’s my horrible, horrible prediction. Sorry about that. I hate to be a Negative Nellie.”

A guest noted that it is his belief that the income tax is against the state constitution. McClintock said she believes the state supreme court will side with the Democrats on the issue.

Roughly 30 minutes of the town hall was centered around the bridge. As soon as the first question about the bridge came up, McClintock turned to Ley and said: There’s your cue.

Ley’s expertise is transportation.

Describing all the money associated with the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR), Ley described the project as “an outrageous boondoggle” as well as “ridiculous” and “a rip-off.”

On the light rail component of the IBR: “If that is something our community wanted, I would happily step up and say let’s have an honest discussion. But overwhelmingly the people of Southwest Washington do not see any value in light rail.”

On tolls: Ley noted that there have been no recent estimates of what tolls would look like on a new bridge. However, the state did pass legislation allowing to double the amount of money it could get in a loan for transportation projects. The previous estimates for tolls was a high of $4.70 one way.

“If you are going to double the amount you borrow from Wall Street, the tolls are going to have to double in order to pay it back,” Ley said, noting that will mean close to $10 one way.

That will lead to thousands of vehicles diverting to the Interstate 205 bridge.

Ley also noted that a tunnel is less expensive. Or taking away several of the bills and whistles — such as light rail — would reduce the price tag on a bridge. The states of Ohio and Kentucky are working on a bridge that will require no tolls and at a price that works for both states.

“We can do something a whole lot cheaper,” Ley said regarding Washington and Oregon.

Right now, though, he called it an uphill fight against Democrats who do not care how much it costs their constituents.