The Current

2025 legislative session • March 29, 2025

Recap: Caucus Chair Peter Abbarno recaps week 11 of the legislative session in this video. He features the Washington House Democrats’ operating and transportation budgets, including the new taxes and fees they rely on.

Budgets: Washington House and Senate Democrats released their competing operating budgets on Monday. The House proposal would spend $78 billion, a $6 billion increase over current spending levels, representing an 8% increase in the operating budget. The legislation is expected to reach the House floor on Monday. We will run the debate live on our social media platforms.

• Watch: Republican leaders discuss Democrats’ budgets, tax proposals at weekly media avail
• The Fix Washington Podcast: Season 2, Episode 9 | Rep. Travis Couture | Watch | Listen
• Watch: Rep. Travis Couture debates the state budget on Inside Olympia
• Rep. Travis Couture proposes package of budget reform bills to stop out-of-control spending by Democrat-controlled Legislature
• The “$10 billion” budget shortfall: how did we get here?

You can find opposing perspectives on the Washington Senate Democrats’ operating budget proposal in the news releases below.

• Democrats’ budget proposals don’t justify massive tax hikes, say Republican budget leaders
• Senate budget proposal protects core services, strengthens long-term fiscal stability

Taxes: Washington House and Senate Democrats have also introduced massive tax proposals (House | Senate). If either plan were enacted, it would be the largest set of tax increases in state history. Here are some of the bills that were recently introduced and promoted by the majority party:

• House Bill 2049 would increase property taxes by lifting the annual growth cap from 1% up to 3%, based on inflation and population changes.
• House Bill 2045 would impose a new business and occupation (B&O) tax surcharge on large businesses and financial institutions.    
• House Bill 2046 would create a new tax on unrealized capital gains for individuals, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and index funds with an assessed value over $50 million.   
• Senate Bill 5796 would create a new payroll tax for businesses with more than $7 million in payroll expenses.  

But there’s more: House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary met with KING TV’s Drew Mikkelsen on Wednesday to highlight other tax increases proposed by Democrats, which he says will “tax the joy out of being a Washingtonian.” Watch the segment here.

ICYMI: Below are some headlines from this week.

• 4 key differences between WA Democrats’ House and Senate budget proposals | The Seattle Times
• Which taxes are on the table for Washington state lawmakers | Axios – Seattle
• Gas tax increases key to fueling Washington transportation budgets | Washington State Standard
• Frank Chopp remembered as champion for WA housing & homelessness | Cascade PBS
• Ferguson cancels parole for man convicted of triple murder | Washington State Standard
• Judge rules against I-2066, Washington’s natural gas initiative | KING TV

The Week Ahead: For a preview of what’s happening in House committees next week, check out The Week Ahead. You can sign up for the publication at the same link.

-Washington House Republicans