18th District Reps. Stephanie McClintock and John Ley denounce passage of state income tax

Following a marathon 24-hour House floor debate, 18th District Reps. Stephanie McClintock and John Ley denounce Senate Bill 6346, a new 9.9% state income tax on household income above $1 million, warning it could expand broadly, harm Washington’s economy, and face serious constitutional challenges. — Rep. Stephanie McClintock and Rep. John Ley

If the Senate approves the House changes, the bill will go to the governor, who has indicated he would sign it in its current form

Following a marathon 24-hour floor debate that marked one of the longest legislative battles in recent memory, majority Democrats approved legislation creating a new state income tax, Senate Bill 6346. The controversial measure advanced despite unified Republican opposition and extensive efforts to amend the proposal.

Supporters say the policy targets high earners to generate new revenue, while critics warn it represents a sweeping change to Washington’s tax structure with significant legal and economic implications.

Reps. Stephanie McClintock and John Ley strongly oppose the legislation that would create Washington’s first state income tax and mark a major shift in the state’s long-standing tax structure.

The bill, which would impose a 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million, now returns to the Senate following a narrow 51-46 vote in the House. Every House Republican voted against the measure along with eight Democrats.

The vote came after one of the longest and most intense debates in legislative history. House Republicans waged a marathon floor fight lasting more than 24 hours. They introduced more than 50 amendments aimed at protecting taxpayers, increasing transparency, and preventing the tax from expanding in the future. Most of those proposals were rejected by the majority party.

“Washington already ranks among the most expensive states to live and operate a business,” said McClintock, R-Vancouver. “Families already struggling with higher prices on housing, groceries, and fuel should not be bracing for another financial hit.

“Adding a state income tax sends a message to job creators that costs and uncertainty will only continue to rise. That discourages investment, slows job growth, and ultimately hurts the families and businesses lawmakers claim they are trying to protect.”

Republicans argue the policy is being marketed as narrowly focused but warn it opens the door to a broader income tax that could eventually impact far more Washington residents.

“This vote represents a fundamental change in how our state collects taxes, and the people of Washington deserved far more transparency and honest debate before taking a step like this,” said Ley, R-Vancouver. “We spent more than 24 hours fighting for taxpayers because once an income tax is established, history shows it rarely remains limited.”

The 18th District lawmakers said the measure relies heavily on political messaging rather than firm guarantees for taxpayers.

“There was a lot of talk about who this tax would affect, but there were no ironclad protections to keep it from expanding,” Ley said. “If the majority truly believed this would never reach beyond a small group of high earners, they would have accepted safeguards to make those limits permanent.”

McClintock said the proposal sends the wrong message to employers, investors, and entrepreneurs at a time when economic stability should be a top priority.

Both lawmakers also pushed back on claims that the new revenue would be dedicated to specific public services.

“Despite the promises being made, this money flows into the general fund, where it can be spent on anything,” McClintock said. “That means no guaranteed improvements to child care, education, or public safety, just more revenue for a system that has struggled to prioritize effectively.”

“What we witnessed was an insatiable appetite for the people’s money,” Ley said. “After stealing $4 billion from the LEOFF1 pension plan and raising $9.5 billion in General Fund taxes last year, the majority party now has the camel’s nose into the tent for an income tax. Sooner or later, they will eliminate the million-dollar standard deduction, and this will hit everyone.”

The lawmakers emphasized that Washington voters have consistently rejected income tax proposals and warned that the legislation may face serious constitutional challenges. State courts have historically interpreted income as property, requiring taxes on income to meet strict uniformity standards.

“Voters have turned down income tax schemes time and again because they understand the long-term consequences,” said Ley. “This approach bypasses that history and moves our state toward a tax structure that could become broader and more burdensome over time. This policy was rushed through despite major legal, economic, and public trust concerns.”

McClintock said, “Washington families deserve tax relief and responsible budgeting, not a new tax that is likely to eventually expand to every household in the state.”

If the Senate approves the House changes, the bill will go to the governor, who has indicated he would sign it in its current form.

Information provided by the Washington State House Republicans, houserepublicans.wa.gov