US EditionFive tax bills lawmakers passed to underpin Washington’s next state budget
- Washington lawmakers passed five tax bills on April 27 to finalize a $77.8 billion two-year state operating budget for 2025–27.
- They addressed a projected budget shortfall, initially estimated up to $16 billion amid declining real estate transactions affecting fee revenue used for homelessness services.
- The budget increases K-12 education funding by $775 million for special education through 2027, invests $100 million in local law enforcement grants, and includes $130 million for state IT modernization.
- It enacts $4.3 billion in new taxes—such as a 0.5% business surcharge on firms with over $250 million income, increased capital gains and estate taxes, plus higher fuel and motor vehicle taxes—to cover services and projects.
- The final budget combines significant new spending and cuts, maintains the state's savings account at $2.1 billion, postpones expansions in early learning, and awaits Governor Ferguson's expected but cautious approval.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Washington state lawmakers reach transportation-funding deal
Washington state lawmakers finalized a $15.5 billion transportation-funding deal in the waning hours of this year’s regular session. The deal includes no shortage of new and increased taxes and fees. The plan sent to Gov. Bob Ferguson covers operating costs and capital projects. The proposal appropriates funding for construction, preservation, operations and multimodal projects across the state. Funding is also included for the Washington State …
A breakdown of Washington’s new $78B two-year state budget
Washington state lawmakers on Sunday approved a $77.8 billion two-year budget to fund schools, state prisons, mental health services, homeless services and more. The final package includes new taxes, spending cuts and funding for new programs. It passed the House of Representatives 52-45 and the Senate 28-19. It now heads to Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk for final approval. This year’s budget writers had a complicated equation on their hands due to a…
The Columbian
Five tax bills lawmakers passed to underpin Washington’s next state budget
A small pile of significant tax bills is getting delivered to Gov. Bob Ferguson.
A Breakdown of Washington’s New $78B Two-Year State Budget
The deal, awaiting Gov. Ferguson’s signature, includes $4.3B in new taxes on businesses, financial assets and technology, and boosts K-12 funding. OLYMPIA, WA – Washington state lawmakers on Sunday approved a $77.8 billion two-year budget to fund schools, state prisons, mental health services, homeless services and more. The final package includes new taxes, spending cuts and funding for new programs. It passed the House of Representatives 52…
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