OLYMPIA…As if proposing the largest tax increase in Washington state history wasn’t enough, Senate Democrats in Olympia doubled the number of taxes proposed by introducing five tax bills just in time for Tax Day.
Senate Republican Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, offered this reaction:
“On Tax Day, no less, Democrats have decided to double down on taxing Washingtonians by introducing five new tax bills—not even two weeks before the end of session. This isn’t just bad timing; it’s bad governing.
“Washington families are already feeling the pinch of high inflation, soaring housing costs, and a slowing economy. Now, Democrats want to pile on even more taxes—on small businesses, on innovation, and on the very people who are trying to build a future here.
“Republicans believe government should live within its means—just like working families have to. We oppose these last-minute tax grabs and will continue to fight for policies that grow paychecks, not government. And because the Democrats have taken their budget negotiations into the proverbial back room, there’s no way of knowing why they want all these additional tax bills.”
The new tax bills will be heard in the Senate Ways & Means Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 16 in Senate Hearing Room 4 in the John A. Cherberg Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia.
These include:
- Senate Bill 5811: Creates a new tax against certain automakers that appears to target Tesla
- Senate Bill 5812: Triples the property tax growth rate AND the local K-12 per-pupil levy amount
- Senate Bill 5813: Expands the capital gains tax and estate tax
- Senate Bill 5814: Increases sales tax on select services
- Senate Bill 5815: Expands the tax on gross receipts for small businesses, which will be paid by consumers