Senator John Braun explains how the proposed income tax is built into four‑year budget planning, bringing in nearly $3 billion before it would be collected in 2029. He raises concerns about implementation, including the need to build an entirely new tax‑administration system, and doubts it can be done in time.

Senator Jeff Wilson warns that Washington is on track for its most expensive budget year ever, potentially topping $80 billion. He highlights long‑term concerns about a future income tax, ongoing pressure for more revenue, and contrasts these with what he views as a comparatively responsible transportation budget.

Senator Mark Schoesler criticizes the proposed operating budget for relying on one‑time funds, unrealistic spending assumptions, and an income tax he believes is unconstitutional and unlikely to survive voter approval. He argues the plan masks fiscal problems instead of responsibly balancing long‑term needs.

Republicans are criticizing the state Senate’s main operating budget, even as they support two other spending plans. Tracy Ellis explains.

OLYMPIA… The Senate’s majority Democrats today adopted a supplemental operating budget that would raid Washington’s rainy-day fund and other accounts to push state spending above $80 billion for the remainder of the 2025-27 biennium. Republican budget leaders are disappointed that billions of dollars are being pulled from one-time sources to support spending far beyond the...

Senate Democrats passed their $80 billion operating budget Friday — a budget that relies on: The hope that $801 million in appropriated money WON’T actually get spent $114 million in higher taxes, on top of the record $12.3 billion in state and local tax increases last year One-time money: Drains unrestricted reserves by $2.4 billion;...