Olympia Madness: Washington’s Not-So-Sweet Sixteen
UPDATE ( Mar. 27): In one of the closer matchups of the tournament thus far, Homelessness Is a Civil Right (Rep. Mia Gregerson) sneaks past Judicial Release Discretion (Rep. Tarra Simmons) to kick off the “What crime problem?” Region.
(Mar. 25): Parental Notification Repeal (Rep. Monica Stonier) defeats Statewide Rent Control ( Sen. Emily Alvarado) to wrap up the first round in the “Trust us, this is good for you” Region.
(Mar. 22): Kicking off the “Trust us, this is good for you” Region, the Initiative Killer (Sen. Javier Valdez) advances past Ride Share Price Limits (Sen. Emily Alvarado).
(Mar. 20): In the second matchup of the “More taxes for everybody!” Region, #2 Seed 3x Property Tax Increases (Rep. Gerry Pollet) handily defeated #3 seed Can Deposit Tax (Rep. Monica Stonier).
(Mar. 18): In the first matchup of the tournament, in the “More taxes for everybody!” Region, #1 seed Vehicle Mileage Tax (Rep. Jake Fey) has defeated #4 seed Unemployment for Striking Workers (Sen. Marcus Ricelli).
This year, state lawmakers in Olympia have introduced 1,923 bills. That’s down, notably, from prior years but is nothing to celebrate, considering each bill costs an estimated $5,000 to be written and introduced. That’s $9.6M in state resources just on introducing legislation.
What exactly are taxpayers getting for their money? While there are plenty of good bills, the overarching theme this year is that many lawmakers have interpreted November’s electoral results – where Washington is perceived as one of the only states not to have lurched to the right – as a mandate to double down on their failed, radical agenda.
They have continued to introduce head-scratching bills that:
🔺 Raise taxes (especially property taxes!)
🗳️ Attack Washington’s initiative process
🚔 Weaken penalties for criminals
🤡and represent truly bizarre priorities.
The people of Washington deserve to know more about what elected officials are driving to change and who specifically is leading the fight.
That’s why Future 42 is launching:
Olympia Madness:
Washington’s Not-So-Sweet Sixteen
a bracket-style tournament where YOU vote on the worst bills of 2025.
🏆 How It Works 🏆
Starting March 17, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we’ll post a matchup of legislation from this session on X and Instagram, and YOU vote for the bill you think is worse. The “winner” (or rather, the biggest loser) moves on to the next round.
By the end, Washingtonians will decide which bill takes the cake for the worst legislation of 2025.
Help call out Olympia’s worst ideas—follow and vote:
📲 Follow us on X
📲 Follow us on Instagram
While it’s sad that our lawmakers have wasted taxpayer money drafting such bills, let’s have some fun as we shine a light on their antics, and hold them accountable!
The Bills & Background
“More taxes for everybody!” Region
Monday, Mar. 17:
#1 seed: Vehicle Mileage Tax (HB 1921)
Implements a per-mile tax on motor vehicles. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Jake Fey, D – LD 27
vs.
#4 seed: Unemployment for Striking Workers (SB 5041)
Allows workers who choose to go on strike to be eligible for unemployment benefits, raising costs all on businesses and consumers. Lead Sponsor: Sen. Marcus Riccelli, D – LD 3
Wednesday, Mar 19:
#2 seed: Property Tax Increases (HB 1334)
Allows local governments to triple the allowable rate for annual property tax increases. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Gerry Pollet
D – LD 46
vs.
#3 seed: Can Deposit Tax (HB 1607)
Imposes a new $.10 fee per bottle or can at time of purchase. While refundable, that process is not expected to be easy, making it effectively a tax. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Monica Stonier, D – LD 49
“Trust us, this is good for you” Region
Friday, Mar. 21
#1 seed: Initiative Killer (SB 5382)
Makes it near-impossible to collect signatures for ballot Initiatives, silencing the voices of Washingtonians. Lead Sponsor: Sen. Javier Valdez, D – LD 46
vs.
#4 seed: Ride Share Price Limits (SB 5600)
Allows for restrictions on pricing and pick-up/drop-off locations, making it far more difficult to secure a ride during large-scale events. Lead Sponsor: Sen. Emily Alvarado, D – LD 34
Monday, Mar. 24
#2 seed: Parental Notification Repeal (HB 1296)
Effectively repeals I-2081 (passed overwhelmingly by the legislature last year) requiring schools to notify parents about their medical or mental health issues at school. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Monica Stonier, D – LD 49
vs.
#3 seed: Statewide Rent Control (HB 1217)
Places a 7% cap on annual rent increases, which will decrease supply and property values and increase costs and limit housing options. Lead Sponsor: Sen. Emily Alvarado, D – LD 34
“What crime problem?” Region
Wednesday, Mar. 26
#1 seed: Homelessness Is a Civil Right (HB 1380)
Allows homelessness encampments statewide and does not allow cities to address it on their own, exposing local governments to expensive lawsuits and decreasing public safety. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Mia Gregerson, D – LD 33
vs.
#4 seed: Judicial Release Discretion (HB 1125)
Gives activist judges unilateral ability to release dangerous convicts, prioritizing judicial activism over the rule of law and public safety. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Tarra Simmons, D – LD 23
Friday, Mar 28
#2 seed: Child Sex Predator Stings (SB 5312)
Will result in lighter penalties on child sex predators. Lead Sponsor: Sen. Lisa Wellman, D – LD 42
vs.
#3 seed: Lighter Sentencing on Gun Crimes (HB 1178)
Reducing penalties for gun and gang crimes, prioritizing criminals over crime victims. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Roger Goodman, D – LD 45
“Super duper important” Region
Monday, Mar. 31
#1 seed: Cow Farts (HB 1630)
Requires farmers to report how much gas is released by their cows, paving the way for taxation under the state’s carbon tax. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Lisa Parshley, D – LD 22
vs.
#4 seed: Funding Local Journalism (SB 5400)
Establishes a Washington Local News Journalism Corps to distribute $20M in grants annual and requires outlets to submit reports on their content. Lead Sponsor: Sen. Marko Liias, D – LD 21
Wednesday, Apr. 2
#2 seed: Change the Flag (HB 1938)
Establishes a committee to create options for a new flag to be implemented in 2028, removing the image of George Washington. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Strom Peterson, D – LD 21
vs.
#3 seed: Inmate Civic Engagement (HB 1147)
Huge expansion on civic engagement rights for prisoners and grants them the ability to sue if ever infringed. Lead Sponsor: Rep. Darya Farivar, D – LD 46