2025 interim •

While the 2026 legislative session does not start until January 12, the work of Washington House Republicans continues. Below is a summer update.

New taxes: New tax and fee increases, passed by Democrats and signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson, are being implemented — including a six-cent gas tax increase on July 1. Seven more bills that will increase costs for Washingtonians go into effect tomorrow:

  • House Bill 2049 will raise property taxes by increasing the local school district property tax levy authority by 55% by 2031, allowing rich districts to get richer and leaving poor districts behind.
  • House Bill 2015 will allow local governments to authorize an additional 0.1% local sales and use tax, raising costs for consumers.
  • House Bill 1409 will increase gas prices by an estimated 5-25 cents per gallon through changes to the Clean Fuels Program.
  • Senate Bill 5083 will shift health care costs from the state to families, averaging $1,400 per year for a family of four (PEBB/SEBB price caps).
  • Senate Bill 5786 will increase the cost of liquor licenses, on average 50%, for grocers, restaurants, bars, and more — depending on the license type.
  • House Bill 1858 will extend document recording fees to more real estate-related transactions, further increasing the cost of housing.
  • House Bill 1488 will raise property taxes by increasing the cap for conservation district property taxes and adjusting the increase every three years for inflation.

Gov. Ferguson approved the largest tax increase in state history after saying in his inaugural address, “Trust me on this — I am taking that same laser focus on affordability to the Governor’s office.”

Old budget problems: “They spent us into a deficit before the ink even dried,” said House Republican Budget Leader Rep. Travis Couture in a statement following the release of the June revenue forecast. The forecast revealed an operating budget ending fund balance of negative $331 million at the end of the four-year outlook. Rep. Couture concluded, “It’s time for a serious course correction. Prioritize essentials. Cut the gimmicks. Stop using record revenue as an excuse to grow government like there’s no tomorrow — because tomorrow just showed up, and the bill is due.”

Republicans warned that the Democrats’ operating budget was irresponsible and unsustainable. Gov. Ferguson signed it in May after proclaiming in January, “We should have an open and honest dialogue about how we arrived at this shortfall and what lessons we must learn.”

Veto: Gov. Ferguson vetoed funding for the Pediatric Interim Care Center (PICC), a facility that provides care for drug-exposed babies. Washington House Republicans fought for this funding and offered amendments that would have provided the PICC with enough resources to continue its services. Democrats rejected our amendments and included significantly less funding in the operating budget.

Op-eds:

Watch/listen: The Fix Washington Podcast hit the road in early July. Caucus Chair Peter Abbarno sat down with Rep. John Ley of the 18th District to discuss how new tax and fee increases will hurt working families across Washington. The Southwest Washington lawmakers also highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in state government.

Social media: Follow us on social media.

Enjoy the rest of your summer. We will touch base again this fall.

-Washington House Republicans