News

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;...

Senator John Braun unpacks the Senate operating budget, income tax assumptions, education funding challenges, and concerns over one‑time money used for ongoing programs. TRANSCRIPT

With just two weeks left before adjournment on March 12, budget negotiations are taking center stage. Washington operates on three primary budgets — the operating, transportation, and capital budgets. The first two tend to grab the headlines, but today I want to focus on the one that quietly makes long-term investments in our communities: the...

OLYMPIA — During debate on the Senate’s proposed supplemental operating budget, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R–Auburn, introduced an amendment to require a phased-in zero-based budgeting review of state spending. The amendment was not adopted. The Senate proposed operating budget, Senate Bill 5998, passed on a party-line vote of 30–19, with all Democrats voting yes and all...

The legislative session is moving fast. Short sessions always do. It reminds me of those stretches on the farm when the weather window is tight and there’s more work than daylight. You start the morning walking the rows, checking on things, and before you know it you’re running hard just to keep up. Today is Policy...

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community in the 31st Legislative District. In Olympia, I’m focused on practical solutions that keep Washington affordable, ensure accountability, and reflect the common-sense priorities of the people I work for every day. Today marks another deadline — Policy Committee Cutoff in the opposite chamber. From here, the focus...

On KOZI Radio, Sen. Keith Goehner discusses strong public opposition to the proposed income tax, rapid state spending growth, and concerns about constitutional overreach. He also highlights new funding for the Totem Road project, ongoing budget negotiations, and urges constituents to stay engaged as the short session accelerates.