AN AFFORDABLE WASHINGTON

2025 Legislative Session

Republican
Wins

  • Protected taxpayers from an additional $11 billion in new taxes
  • Stopped the pay-per-mile tax (HB 1921/SB 5726)
  • Prevented a rate change that would allow the largest property tax increase in state history (HB 2049)
  • Made it easier to build housing through zoning reform (SB 5471)

The Budgets

Operating

  • $77.9 billion, reflecting 8.2% growth
  • $12.5 billion in state and local taxes
  • $4.5 billion in new spending
  • Largest tax increase by percentage of the budget since the 1981-83 biennium
  • Equivalent to a $2,000 annual tax increase on a family of four, by the end of the four years
  • 42% of the budget spent on K-12 education – a ratio that’s dropped seven years in a row

Capital

  • $7.6 billion
  • $975 million for K-12 and early learning
  • $781 million for housing$1.2 billion for higher education
  • $282 for construction of a new Western State Hospital
  • $365 million to the Public Works Trust Fund

Transportation

  • Maintains and approves state roads, bridges, ferries and transit systems
  • $903.4 million on highway preservation projects
  • $655.95 million on highway maintenance projects
  • Provides $15.5 billion in spending authority for 2025-27 for the capital and operating budget expenses

The Taxes

  • $1.6 BILLION: Property-tax increase through higher local levies and a return to inequitable funding “McCleary 2.0” (HB 2049)
  • $2.6 BILLION: Sales-tax increase that will make food, healthcare, prescription drugs and housing more expensive (SB 5814)
  • $5.6 BILLION: Expanded on consumers via a higher business and occupation tax (SB 5815)
  • $637 MILLION: Expanded income tax on capital gains and death tax (SB 5813)
  • $385 MILLION: New tax on storage units and more (SB 5794)
  • $281 MILLION: Tesla Tax – taxes certain manufacturers of EVs (SB 5811)

PLUS…

  • 50% increase in the Discover Passes
  • 38% increase in hunting & fishing licenses
  • 50% increase in liquor licenses

Democrat Taxing Timeline

How would the session have been different if Republicans had been in the majority?

  • A 4-year balanced budget we can afford
  • No new or higher taxes
  • Fewer regulations that increase the cost of housing
  • More options for affordable housing
  • More investment in jobs
  • Lower prices on goods and services

The Elephant in the Dome Podcast: Post-Session Recap: Taxes, Transparency & Tension in Olympia

Our Budget

  • No tax increases: This budget does not rely on a single tax increase to close the deficit. Democrats this year have proposed several property tax increases, wealth tax increases, a can/bottle deposit tax, a vehicle mileage tax, and more.
  • No fee increases: This budget does not rely on a single fee increase to close the deficit. Democrats this year have proposed fee increases for state parks, hunting, and fishing.
  • Funding at near-record levels: Prudent spending decisions – often simply reverting to 2023 or 2024 spending levels – make unpopular tax hikes unnecessary while providing near-record funding to social services.

VIDEO: Sen. Chris Gildon speech in support of $ave Washington Budget

Housing Solutions Washington

A flexible, comprehensive plan designed to empower home builders, developers and local communities.

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