Senate Democrats in Washington have approved major tax increases, prompting Republican budget leaders to warn of a growing showdown ahead
The state Senate’s majority Democrats today moved Washington closer to the largest set of tax increases in state history, sending the first wave of this year’s Democrat tax hikes to Gov. Bob Ferguson.
The three major tax bills receiving final legislative approval from majority Democrats are: a sales-tax increase that will hit lower- and middle-income families harder, an increase in the income tax on capital gains; and a collection of tax increases that includes a new tax on self-storage rentals. The votes today all endorsed changes made by the House to the bills.
Sen. Chris Gildon of Puyallup, Senate Republican budget leader, offered this reaction following the Senate votes:
“The Democrats are absolutely determined to take more money from the people this year, even though Republicans have proven we can have a new budget without a single tax increase or any cuts to services – and the governor is on the record as opposing tax increases on Washington’s working families.
“With three days left in this session, the bad news for taxpayers is far from over. Republicans will keep fighting against these tax increases until the gavel falls for the final time this session, but as we told him in a letter yesterday, we expect the governor will have to become the final line of defense. There’s a showdown coming.”
Sen. Nikki Torres of Pasco, assistant budget leader, said this:
“Our Democratic colleagues wouldn’t need all these taxes if their spending wasn’t completely out of control – but even worse, their priorities are way off. On top of the billions upon billions in tax increases they’re pushing through, they also want to make a huge cut in funding for post-partum maternity care. It’s unbelievable.
“Between the sales-tax increase approved today and the property-tax bill that is coming, the lower- and moderate-income families across our state are going to be hit hard – as consumers, homeowners, and renters. After all that talk from the majority about going after the wealthy in our state, their real priority seems to be taking money wherever they can find it.”
Also read:
- Signatures filed for initiatives on parental rights, blocking trans athletes from girls’ sports
Supporters of two initiatives on parental rights and transgender participation in girls’ sports filed signatures Friday, moving the measures closer to consideration by Washington lawmakers. - These new laws and taxes take effect in Washington state on Jan. 1
Several new laws and tax increases passed in 2025 take effect Jan. 1 in Washington, impacting unemployment benefits, business taxes, transportation fees, consumer costs and regulatory requirements. - Opinion: Justice for none – Court hands down a mandate without a dime to fund it
Nancy Churchill argues that a Washington Supreme Court ruling on public defense imposes costly mandates on local governments without providing funding to implement them. - Deportations, tariffs, court clashes, record shutdown mark a historic year in Washington, D.C.
A year marked by deportations, tariffs, court battles, and a record federal shutdown reshaped Washington, D.C., during President Donald Trump’s return to office. - Opinion: The progressive attack on Washington’s sheriffs
Nancy Churchill argues that proposed legislation would shift power over county sheriffs away from voters and concentrate control within state government.
