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 protect taxpayers. The mayors, city council members, county commissioners, port commissioners and school board members say the proposal represents a major shift in Washington’s tax system with far-reaching consequences for residents and employers.

March 6, 2026

To the Honorable Members of the Washington State Legislature,

As local elected officials representing a diverse subset of communities throughout Washington State, we write to you today to express our strong opposition to SB 6346. We hold serious concerns about the negative impacts which the adoption of a state income tax would have on residents and businesses in our communities.

Washington has long benefited from our lack of an income tax. This policy has been a cornerstone of our economic competitiveness, helping attract families, entrepreneurs, and employers who create jobs and opportunity in our communities. Adopting an income tax would reverse that advantage at the worst possible time. Our residents already face some of the nation’s highest costs for housing, groceries, and energy. Additional taxation on earned income would accelerate the out-migration of individuals, families, and businesses—precisely the people and employers who fund local services and keep our Main Streets alive. The loss of local small businesses in our communities and those that they employ would leave a significant deficit and have both economic and quality-of-life impacts on our constituents.

We are equally concerned that this tax would undermine fiscal discipline. New revenue streams historically lead to expanded spending rather than structural reform. As local leaders who must carefully balance budgets every year, we know that responsible governance begins by living within our means—prioritizing core services, eliminating waste, and reforming inefficient programs—not shifting the burden onto the paychecks of Washingtonians.

Our constituents have made it clear they do not want higher taxes; they want government at all levels to responsibly steward their hard-earned tax dollars. We therefore urge you to reject the proposed income tax and keep Washington open for economic growth and opportunity.

Thank you for your public service and for your attention to this critical issue.

NOTE: This letter reflects the views of the undersigned only and does not reflect the views of their respective legislative bodies.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Aldrich, Sultan City Councilmember

Glen Bachman, Everett Port Commissioner

Scott Bader, Everett City Councilmember

Brandi Blair, Monroe City Councilmember

Matt Brown, Yakima City Councilmember

Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner

Nancy Button, Ferndale School Board Director

Michael Cannon, Mead School Board Director

Gretl Crawford, Kennewick City Councilmember

Peter Condyles, Marysville City Councilmember

Reagan Dunn, King County Councilmember

Ben Elenbaas, Whatcom County Councilmember

Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, Arlington City Councilmember

Dani Gaumond, Stanwood City Councilmember

Joel Graves, Moses Lake City Councilmember

Brittany Gledhill, Kennewick School Board Director

Kevin Hanford, Monroe City Councilmember

Randy Hayden, Darrington School Board Director

Robert “Chili” Hicks, Stanwood City Councilmember

Aaron Hoffman, Snohomish Mayor

Mark James, Marysville City Councilmember

Stephanie Jerdon, Central Valley School Board Director

Dale Kaemingk, Brier Mayor

Cristella Kaminskas, Liberty Lake Mayor

Mary LaFleur, Anacortes Port Commissioner

Frank Lyall, Grandview Port Commissioner

Amanda McKinney, Yakima County Commissioner

Jon Nehring, Marysville Mayor

Nate Nehring, Snohomish County Councilmember

Leisha Nobach, Arlington City Councilmember

Kamille Norton, Marysville City Councilmember

Eric Overholser, Battle Ground City Councilmember

Nathan Packard, Lake Stevens City Councilmember

Sandi Peterson, Oak Harbor City Councilmember

David Preston, Edmonds Port Commissioner

Mike Quinn, Woodway Mayor

Loujanna Rohrer, Pierce County Charter Review Commissioner

James Sterba, Mukilteo City Councilmember

Michael Stevens, Marysville City Councilmember

Mark Stremler, Whatcom County Councilmember

Trina Ternes, Milton City Councilmember

Rob Toyer, Arlington City Councilmember

Peggy Uppiano, Ferndale School Board Director

Don Vanney, Arlington Mayor

Joe Wankelman, South County Fire Commissioner

Heather Watland, Arlington City Councilmember

Chuck Whitfield, Monroe School Board Director

Judson Willis, Pierce County Charter Review Commissioner

Eric Zimmerman, Normandy Park Mayor