The Current

2026 legislative session • March 1, 2026

Washington House Democrats passed their supplemental operating budget off the House floor last night after a six-hour debate. The legislation passed on a 52-41 vote. You can watch the debate and learn about the amendments offered in this X thread.

Rep. Travis Couture, ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee: “This budget is economic arson. Democrats are pouring fuel on a spending addiction while Washingtonians struggle with higher costs for housing, groceries, gas, child care, insurance and more. Instead of helping people, Democrats chose bigger government and more taxes.” Read his news release here.

Democrats in the House and Senate will now meet behind closed doors to work out the final details of their supplemental operating budget.

100,000+: That’s how many people signed in “con” to oppose the Democrats’ state income tax proposal when it was considered in the House Finance Committee on Tuesday. An amended version of Senate Bill 6346 advanced out of the committee on Thursday and is expected to reach the House floor after March 6. The debate will be livestreamed across our social media platforms.

Recent coverage on this legislation:

• WA governor to fellow Democrats: Income tax bill still misses mark | Washington State Standard
• ‘Millionaire tax’ clears House committee despite Republican pushback | MyNorthwest
• WA income tax proposal sparks more heated debate in Olympia | The Center Square
• Editorial: On income tax, legislative Democratic leaders fail to meet the moment | The Seattle Times

Media avail: House Republican Deputy Leader Chris Corry and Assistant Floor Leader Travis Couture joined Senate Republican Caucus Chair Judy Warnick and Deputy Leader Drew MacEwen for an extended media availability on Tuesday to answer questions from reporters on several issues. The event can be viewed on TVW.

Headlines from this week:

• Fight to reform WA’s ‘stunning’ child welfare crisis stalls in Legislature | FOX 13
• Pension advocates protest WA bill targeting LEOFF 1 plan funds | The Center Square
• Attempt to rein in surging lawsuit costs stalls in WA Legislature | Washington State Standard
• ‘Not even treading water’: Washington state continues to lag in police hiring | KOMO TV

TVW: Rep. Deb Manjarrez and Rep. Hunter Abell joined Inside Olympia to share their perspectives on taxes, the budget, housing, and bipartisan work for veterans and oversight. The segment is available here.

Rep. Stephanie Barnard, ranking Republican on the House Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee, appeared on The Impact to discuss artificial intelligence and other technology issues. You can find the piece here.

Podcast: Rep. Mary Dye, ranking Republican on the House Environment and Energy Committee, joined Caucus Chair Peter Abbarno on The Fix Washington Podcast this week. The legislators talked about agriculture, water, regressive energy policies, and egregious legislation — including Senate Bill 5360 (environmental crimes). The episode is available on YouTube.

The homestretch: When state lawmakers return to the Capitol tomorrow, they will have 11 days to complete their work. The last two legislative deadlines are fiscal committee cutoff (opposite house) tomorrow and opposite house cutoff on March 6.

-Washington House Republicans