Taxes & Cost of Living

Not So Fast, Olympia: Why the Income Tax Signature is Just the Opening Salvo in a New Legal Battle

With the signature of Governor Bob Ferguson, Washington has broken its century-long streak of rejecting a state income tax. But for those who value constitutional limits and taxpayer protections, the message is clear: the governor’s signature is not the final word, and the end result is very much yet to be decided. The 2026 legislative...

Not Just the Income Tax: A Troubling Session in Olympia

Washington’s 2026 legislative session that adjourned last week was defined in large part by the controversial income tax proposal now sitting on Governor Ferguson’s desk. But while that fight has dominated headlines and advocacy efforts, it’s far from the only story coming out of Olympia this year. Beneath the surface, majority lawmakers advanced a series...

Legislature Sends State Income Tax to Gov. Ferguson After Rejecting Key Taxpayer Safeguards

Washington lawmakers have sent a sweeping state income tax bill to the desk of Bob Ferguson, where the governor must now decide whether to sign it into law or veto it. Last year, Gov Ferguson signed the largest package of tax hikes in state history into law, after pushing for a “balanced approach” for months....

WSJ: Washington State’s Income Tax Con

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board again covers the Washington State income tax and how the supposed tax on millionaires will inevitably capture the middle class. Democrats say the tax plan is popular but then why are they including a provision to prevent it from being overturned by voter referendum? Bill section 1107 says the...

Op-Ed: State income tax proposal will destroy minority-owned businesses and hurt our communities

Mike Sotelo, president of the Ethnic Chamber of Commerce Coalition, writes about Washington’s proposed state income tax on earnings above $1 million threatens to undermine the progress and stability of minority-owned businesses at a time when our state’s entrepreneurial diversity is finally gaining momentum. As co-chair of the Seattle Ethnic Chamber of Commerce, I’ve seen firsthand...

40+ Whatcom County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

Today, 40+ local businesses in Whatcom County sent a joint letter to the Washington State Legislature expressing their concerns regarding the proposed state income tax, SB 6346. The letter urges the Legislature to reject the income tax in order to avoid negative impacts on Washington’s economy. To the Honorable Members of the Washington State Legislature,...

30+ Clark County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

Today, 30+ local businesses in Clark County sent a joint letter to the Washington State Legislature expressing their concerns regarding the proposed state income tax, SB 6346. The letter urges the Legislature to reject the income tax in order to avoid negative impacts on Washington’s economy. March 9, 2026 To the Honorable Members of the...

Lawmakers Could Vote on Income Tax This Week

Friday, Bob Ferguson announced he reached an agreement with legislative leaders to amend the proposed state income tax bill, and that he will sign it if it reaches his desk. The changes? A handful of small tax credits and modest tweaks. But the core proposal remains the same: creating a state income tax in Washington,...

Local Elected Officials Urge Legislature to Reject New State Income Tax

Local elected leaders from across Washington are speaking out against the proposal to create a state income tax, warning it could harm communities, small businesses, and the state’s economic competitiveness. In the letter below (and available as a pdf here), they urge lawmakers to reject the plan and instead pursue policies that support growth and...

30+ Snohomish County Small Businesses Urge Legislature to Reject State Income Tax

Today, 30+ local businesses in Snohomish County sent a joint letter to the Washington State Legislature expressing their concerns regarding the proposed state income tax, SB 6346. The letter urges the Legislature to reject the income tax in order to avoid negative impacts on Washington’s economy. March 6, 2026 To the Honorable Members of...

WSJ: A Tech Tax Revolt Against Democrats

The Wall Street Journal editorial board has covered a letter from Washington state tech industry leaders regarding likely talent flight if the state imposes a state income tax. From the article: Washington state Democrats have plunged ahead with plans for a new income tax despite public opposition and their own state constitution. A new letter...

Record-Breaking Opposition Is Shaking Olympia

With one of the biggest deadlines of the legislative session now behind us, something important has happened in Olympia. A long list of bad bills quietly died. Under legislative rules, non-fiscal related bills had to pass out of their chamber of origin last week, or they’re effectively done for the year. Dozens failed to make...

Sign in CON Before Tomorrow’s Income Tax Hearing

It’s working. The response from Washingtonians like you in opposition to an income tax has been unprecedented, and lawmakers are taking notice. A House Democrat leader warned the income tax (that proponents are calling a ‘millionaires tax’) could hit everyone. Another Democrat representative wrote a scathing op-ed in opposition to the income tax. Three Democratic senators...

WSJ: Washington State’s Latest Tax Gambit

The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board has taken notice of the push to implement a state income tax in Washington. From the editorial: Shameless describes many corners of the political universe, but special notice this week to Washington state Democrats for pushing an income tax forbidden by their own state constitution. In Olympia, the state...