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Minority leader: Democrat proposals ‘tax the joy out of being a Washingtonian’

Democrats in Olympia, Wash., holding the majority, have proposed new taxes and fees to address a multi-billion-dollar deficit.
These proposals aim to fund road construction and maintenance projects and avoid deep cuts to state services, as argued by Democratic lawmakers.
The proposed measures include taxes on the state's top earners, large businesses and banks, nicotine pouches, vacation rentals, storage units, rental cars, and a potential increase of up to nine cents in the gas tax, along with a 10-cent refundable deposit on bottled and canned beverages.
Republican Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary criticized the proposals as 'taxing the joy' out of people's lives, while Democratic Rep. April Berg defended the need for well-funded public services, with Sen. Marko Liias sponsoring a bill to raise the gas tax by six cents and add a one-dollar surcharge to sporting and music event tickets.
With the legislative session ending on April 27, lawmakers are expected to negotiate and pass a final budget that includes tax increases to generate funds, potentially reaching $5.1 billion for the 2025-27 budget and $14.8 billion over the next two budgets, although some express skepticism about the wealth tax and its potential impact.

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KGW 8

Center

Washington State Republican lawmakers slam Democrats over tax proposals

Lawmakers in Washington state are debating tax proposals to address a multi-billion dollar deficit.

7 days ago·Portland, United States

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King5 News

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Krem2 News

Center

Minority leader: Democrat proposals ‘tax the joy out of being a Washingtonian’

The proposals could impact the wealthy, businesses, sporting teams, hunters and mini-mart shoppers.

8 days ago·Seattle, United States

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The Columbian

+2 Reposted by 2 other sources

Center

Tax plan from WA House Democrats could raise nearly $15B for state budget

Democrats in the Washington state House released a plan Friday that could drive billions of additional dollars into state coffers through higher property tax collections and new taxes on the richest residents and largest businesses and banks. Read more...

10 days ago·Vancouver, United States

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The Suburban Times

Letter: Financially Tough Times? – The Suburban Times

Submitted by KM Hills. You may have heard, Washington State is financially $12-14 BILLION in debt. Some have expressed that this figure is nothing, given the State budget is $116 billion. I don’t know about the budget for your household but a 10 to 12% deficit in my budget would be significant. I don’t have the option to go to my employer and force them to pay me more. However, according to the two included articles from MSN and the Washington S…

8 days ago

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seattleschild.com

State budget negotiations begin

Democrats in Washington’s House and Senate agree on one thing when it comes to the state’s budget shortfall: it’ll take hefty taxes on wealthy individuals and companies to solve. Beyond that, they charted diverging paths with spending plans released on Monday. Senate Democrats make ends meet in the next two-year budget by delaying expansion of early learning and child care programs, furloughing state workers, and draining state reserves in order…

8 days ago

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Dailyfly - Lewis Clark Valley News

Washington State Lawmakers Condemn Protest at Home of Democratic Legislator

OLYMPIA, WA – Lawmakers have sprung to the defense of a Washington state lawmaker who faced a protest at her home over the weekend. Rep. Tarra Simmons estimated 20-25 protesters showed up at her Bremerton home on Saturday. The Democratic lawmaker held two town hall events that day in her district and was planning to stop at home after the first, but said she got calls from neighbors about the demonstration, so stayed away. “I believe that people…

8 days ago

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