Rep. John Ley provides his latest legislative update
Rep. John Ley
for Clark County Today
The last three and a half months have been amazing. Working on your behalf in the state Legislature has been an honor and privilege. It was full of ups and downs and many learning experiences. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you and be your voice in Olympia.
Now that the 2025 session has come to an end, there is much to recap and a lot more work to be done going forward. In this update, I will cover several issues, including the state’s three budgets and the new taxes passed by the majority. You can also click here to listen to me recap the session on the Lars Larson show.
Capital Budget victories for the 18th District
Let’s start on a positive note. The capital budget includes some big wins for Southwest Washington. This budget is primarily funded through bond sales and focuses on long-term physical investments such as public schools, water systems, and community facilities. The final budget spends $7.6 billion, with more than $6.3 million coming to the 18th District.
We’re working hard to bring these tax dollars back to the district. These projects represent input we’ve received from local agencies, indicating that they are important to you and our community. We are especially proud to help our law enforcement agencies obtain these funds for much-needed public safety improvements.
Funding for projects in the 18th District includes:
- $3 million for upgrades to the Washington State University-Vancouver Central Chiller Plant.
- $1.5 million for Remy Park in Battle Ground.
- $515,000 for the Battle Ground downtown revitalization design.
- $278,000 for a culinary upgrade to Battle Ground Public Schools.
- $383,000 for stormwater mitigation at the Tukes Work Center.
- $318,000 each for the Family Forest Fish Passage Programs at Gee Creek and East Fork Lewis River.
Operating Budget balloons again
Unfortunately, the news is not so good with the operating budget. The majority party passed a budget that increases state spending to almost $78 billion, representing a $6 billion increase over current state spending levels. This will be an 8% increase in the size of the operating budget, continuing a troubling trend. I do not support this budget and voted against it.
Bigger budget means more taxes
The state does not have a revenue problem. Our tax dollars continue to increase year over year. However, the majority continues to spend at a record pace even though revenue growth has slowed. Instead of being frugal, the majority wants to keep spending more than they have. Additionally, the majority passed more than $9.5 billion in new and increased taxes. That represents the largest tax increase in the history of the state of Washington. Here is what six of the most significant tax bills will do:
- House Bill 2049 | Property tax increase. A 55% increase in local school district property tax levy authority.
- House Bill 2081 | Business and occupation (B&O) tax increases. B&O tax increases and additional punitive surcharges on certain industries.
- House Bill 2077 | Tesla tax. Excise taxes on the sale or banking of zero-emission credits held by Tesla.
- Senate Bill 5814 | Sales tax expansion. Applies sales tax to critical business services, including temporary staffing, digital services, and security services, and applies tobacco taxes to nicotine products used for smoking cessation.
- Senate Bill 5813 | Capital gains income and estate taxes. Increases tax rates for capital gains income and estate taxes.
- Senate Bill 5794 | Eliminating tax incentives. Eliminates tax incentives for gold and bullion, low-income energy credits, and storage spaces.
It’s time for government to stop spending more than it has. We need to help struggling Washingtonians who are scraping to get by. These new taxes will hurt those who can afford it the least. Even the media agrees.
- Editorial: Ruling Democrats, your tax hikes come at a cost to all WA residents – The Seattle Times
- Editorial: Gov. Ferguson, scrub the budget carefully – The Seattle Times
- Editorial: Ferguson weighs risky approach to bottom line – The Columbian
Click here to watch my speech opposing the capital gains income tax increases, and click here to read the entire poem I shared during my speech.
Transportation Budget comes with additional taxes
In addition to the new taxes in the operating budget, the transportation budget includes new taxes that will hurt hard-working Washingtonians. This budget will spend $15.5 billion, including $1 billion in Climate Commitment Act funding and $3.2 billion in new revenue. It does not include the House proposal to have $1 billion in reserves over six years. The largest investments include: WSDOT ($11.8 billion); Washington State Ferries ($1.7 billion); Washington State Patrol ($758 million); public transportation ($753 million); and the Department of Licensing ($446 million).
This budget includes many positive things but relies on $3.2 billion in new taxes and fees, including a $.06 per gallon gas tax increase. There are two additional 3-cent increases in diesel fuel taxes, plus an inflation increase every year. Even though this budget includes more than $60 million for projects that affect the 18th District, I still voted against it and the many tax increases and fees that come with it.
My legislation stalled in the Senate
Unfortunately, none of my bills made it to the governor’s desk. House Bill 1857 made it out of the House and was passed by the Senate Committee, but ultimately, the entire body did not bring it to the Senate floor for a vote. This bill would have helped businesses and labor groups reduce the cost of construction by exempting commercial aggregates from the current policy because of the costs it imposes on industry and construction. This policy would benefit communities by allowing them to provide cheaper, locally harvested aggregate for use in construction projects. We will try to get it over the hump net year.
Town Hall this Saturday in Battle Ground
I want to invite you to join me and my seatmate, Rep. Stephanie McClintock, for a combined town hall meeting with 20th District lawmakers, Rep. Ed Orcutt and Rep. Peter Abbarno, on Saturday, May 3, in Battle Ground. We will review the 2025 legislative session, which just concluded on April 27. The meeting will run from 10 a.m. to noon p.m. and be held at Battle Ground City Hall, located at 109 SW 1st Street.
I look forward to meeting with you in our district throughout the interim. I love hearing from you, and my door is always open. I will be working hard over the coming months to push for change in Washington. Please continue reaching out so we can ensure your voice is heard. It’s an honor to serve you.
Also read:
- Washingtonians will need state permit to buy guns under new law
A new Washington state law will require gun buyers to obtain a permit from the State Patrol starting in 2027, adding fees and training requirements beyond existing background checks. - Opinion: ‘Governor Ferguson agrees parents have no rights’
Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood criticized Governor Ferguson for signing HB 1296, calling it a direct attack on parental rights in Washington. - Conservatives on U.S. House Budget Committee switch votes, advance GOP packageA GOP budget reconciliation bill advanced by a single vote after several House conservatives changed positions during a rare Sunday night session.
- Letter: ‘Marie (Gluesenkamp Perez) sadly fails to recognize the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death’Vancouver resident Ann Makar shares her letter to Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and criticizes her stance on the sanctity of human life.
- Tesla, Netflix, Philip Morris among those pushing WA governor for tax vetoesGov. Ferguson is facing mounting pressure from business groups to veto several tax bills before Tuesday’s legislative deadline.
Still wondering what John Ley would say if a Democrat pleaded guilty to attempted voter violations including knowingly providing false information and candidacy declaration.