Rep. David Stuebe says Washington families cannot afford more of the same
Rep. David Stuebe
17th Legislative District
Washington families are feeling the squeeze like never before. Whether you’re filling your gas tank, buying groceries, paying rent and utilities, or covering a medical bill, the cost of living in our state continues to rise. Affordability is no longer a talking point; it is a daily reality for hardworking people across Washington. Unfortunately, the majority party’s approach in Olympia has only made matters worse.
The truth is simple: we did not arrive at this affordability crisis overnight. It is the result of years of overspending and misplaced priorities. For four budgets in a row, state government has spent billions more than forecasted. In the last budget alone, for every 75 cents saved, a new dollar was spent. That is not responsible budgeting; it is a spending addiction. Now the majority party wants to raid the rainy day fund to help fund this year’s supplemental budget. That is another bad idea, as outlined in a recent editorial in The Columbian.
Even more concerning, lawmakers assumed unrealistic growth projections and built massive spending plans on revenue that never materialized. When those projections fell short, taxpayers were left holding the bill. At the same time, major costs were pushed into the future, and temporary funds were used to support permanent programs, guaranteeing deficits for years to come.
While families are tightening their belts, the majority continues to grow government instead of providing meaningful tax relief. Everyone is affected by this approach. Fuel prices remain high. Grocery costs continue to climb. Utility rates have risen. Housing is increasingly out of reach. Medical expenses are rising. Yet instead of offering real relief to those who need it most, the ruling party continues to take more from taxpayers and businesses.
This has real consequences. Businesses are leaving Washington, and families are reconsidering whether they can afford to stay. Employers and workers alike are seeking opportunities in states with lower costs and more predictable policies. When government overspends and raises costs, it drives economic activity elsewhere and hurts communities statewide.
We must be honest about the root of the problem. Washington does not have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem. The answer is not higher taxes, but responsible budgeting that prioritizes people over bureaucracy. We must stop the unchecked spending on programs that offer no return on investment.
House Republicans are offering a better way forward. First, we must break the cycle of reckless spending. That means no new taxes and requiring a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to raise them, ensuring broad bipartisan support. It also means modernizing spending limits by tying budget growth to inflation and population growth, so government spending reflects real-world conditions.
Taxpayers also deserve relief when the state collects more than it needs. Surplus funds should be returned to the people through a Tax Relief Account, not absorbed into ever-expanding programs.
Affordability is also tied to healthcare access. We must restore Medicaid access by streamlining eligibility documentation and restoring the $782 million in funding cut last session. Repealing artificial pricing policies that drive up premiums could lower costs for families, while increased support for struggling hospitals, especially in rural areas, would help stabilize care.
Protecting vulnerable Washingtonians must remain a priority. That includes safeguarding food assistance for seniors, foster youth, veterans, and the homeless, while maintaining reasonable work requirements for able-bodied adults so resources reach those who truly need them.
Finally, we must restore funding for essential programs and refocus on core services, including wildfire prevention, law enforcement, support for foster youth education, and critical care for vulnerable children.
Washington families cannot afford more of the same. The majority’s policies are increasing the cost of living and pushing our state further out of reach for those who call it home. It is time to rein in spending, reject new taxes, and deliver real tax relief. If we focus on accountability, affordability, and core priorities, we can make Washington a place where families and businesses can not only survive — but thrive. Rep. Stuebe represents Washington’s 17th Legislative District.
Also read:
- Opinion: Let’s make Washington state affordable for everyone
Rep. David Stuebe criticizes state lawmakers’ spending increases and calls for tax relief, budget reforms, and restored funding for essential services across Washington. - Winners, losers and takeaways from WA’s legislative session
Funding reductions affect Transition to Kindergarten and Running Start, while free school lunches are set for 2029 using new income tax revenue. - ‘An upward trajectory’: Petroleum expert on Iran conflict’s impact on gas prices
Drivers in Washington are facing steeper costs at the pump due to supply disruptions, increased taxes, and a closed oil shipping route, which together raise expenses for businesses and consumers. - Opinion: Legislature agrees to increased spending in Supplemental Budget
Washington lawmakers approved an $80.2 billion supplemental budget, banking on an income tax that is uncertain to withstand legal and electoral tests despite increasing spending beyond revenue projections. - Letter: ‘Only Florida has a more regressive tax structure than Washington’
Washington households earning the least pay 13.8% in taxes, while the wealthiest 1% pay only 4.1%, according to Camas resident Anthony Teso’s letter.
