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Editorial: A Look at What Got Done and What Didn’t in Olympia
The $79.4 billion budget aims to address inflation-driven shortfalls and expand tax credits, while the 9.9% millionaires tax targets 20,000 high earners amid legal challenges.
- On Thursday, the Washington Legislature concluded its 60-day session, passing a $79.4 billion operating budget and a 9.9 percent "millionaires tax" on income over $1 million despite objections from Republicans and some Democrats.
- Budget decisions were forced by inflation and the abdication of federal responsibility for health and social service programs following passage of congressional Republicans' "One Big Beautiful Bill" last year.
- The new income tax targets an estimated 20,000 residents, potentially generating around $3 billion annually by 2029, while funding an expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit from 350,000 to 810,000 households.
- To address an $878 million gap for next year, the budget scrounged $880 million from the state's rainy day fund, while Consumers will see sales tax removed for personal hygiene products and over-the-counter medications.
- Beyond the budget, legislators passed regulations for Flock cameras and police standards, though the "millionaires tax" faces potential legal challenges and a possible public vote before it can begin generating revenue in the coming years.
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Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber+13 Reposted by 13 other sources
Editorial: A look at what got done and what didn’t in Olympia
In a short session, legislators passed consequential bills. But there’s work left for next time.
·Vashon, United States
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A look at what got done and what didn’t in Olympia
For a short 60-day session, which concluded Thursday, where the primary task was adopting a supplemental budget that plugged a significant gap between revenue and spending under tough economic pressures, the Washington state Legislature exceeded expectations — not always for the good if you asked many Republicans in the chambers’ minorities — with adoption of consequential bills, including passage of a “millionaires tax” that promises a fairer s…
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Leaning Left0Leaning Right0Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Center
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- 100% of the sources are Center
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