Washington State House Republicans

🚨BREAKING: House Democrats voted to raid $4 BILLION from the law enforcement and firefighter pension plan to cover the multi-billion-dollar budget deficit they created.

4 days ago | [YT] | 35

Washington State House Republicans

“A pie-crust promise. Easily made, easily broken.” That was Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen’s response when asked by KUOW why Democrats who voted in 2024 to ban a state income tax are now backing one just two years later.



Supporters of Senate Bill 6346 say the income tax would apply only to high earners. Yet a record number of people have already signed in to oppose it, reflecting widespread distrust of the Legislature.



Republicans oppose a state income tax. It’s not only unnecessary and unconstitutional – it will drive away jobs, hurt Washington’s economy, and eventually target everyone

1 week ago | [YT] | 74

Washington State House Republicans

This week, House Democrats blocked a Republican motion to require public hearings on two initiatives backed by 400,000+ Washingtonians, despite a state constitutional mandate stating they “shall take precedence” over other policy measures.

Democrats in both chambers say they will not hold hearings this session.

Republicans disagree with their decision. Please join our listening session Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the People’s House – the Capitol in Olympia.

▶️Initiative IL26-001 would guarantee parents the right to review their children’s instructional materials, access school records, be notified when medical services are provided, and opt out of certain classes.

▶️Initiative IL26-638 would protect the integrity of girls’ sports by ensuring female student athletes are not forced into unfair competition with biological males.

More details coming soon.

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 91

Washington State House Republicans

House Bill 2589 has a public hearing in the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday, January 28, at 1:30 p.m.

The bill would create a right for student organizations and bargaining units to camp at institutions of higher learning, including private colleges and universities.

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 25

Washington State House Republicans

Under Gov. Bob Ferguson’s proposed state income tax, Seattle would have the highest combined state income tax and state and local payroll tax rates in the nation.

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 82

Washington State House Republicans

Like/share if you OPPOSE a state income tax in Washington.

1 month ago | [YT] | 554

Washington State House Republicans

🚨BREAKING: House Republican budget leader Rep. Travis Couture released a new budget framework Thursday aimed at helping working Washingtonians without raising taxes.

The Affordability First Budget Plan calls for no new or higher taxes and seeks to curb what Couture, R-Allyn, described as years of unsustainable spending that have pushed the state toward another multi-billion dollar budget shortfall.

"For Washingtonians, the pain is real," said Couture, the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee. "Groceries cost more. Housing costs more. Gas and child care cost more. But Olympia keeps spending more and delivering worse results. This budget says enough is enough and protects people who have nothing left to give."

The proposal identifies nearly $4 billion in savings through spending reductions, efficiencies, and the elimination of lower-priority programs. Couture said the plan protects core services, avoids cuts to K-12 classrooms, and does not reduce benefits or service delivery.

It also restores funding for programs cut or underfunded in the current budget, including Medicaid services, hospital relief, food assistance for vulnerable Washingtonians, wildfire prevention, infant care for drug-exposed newborns, and law enforcement hiring.

Couture said the current budget depends too heavily on gimmicks like one-time money, delayed obligations, and revenue that never materialized.

"Washington has spent more than it expected to collect for four straight budgets," he said. "That's not sustainable for the people of Washington state, and it shouldn't be how government operates."

Couture's plan restores voter-backed spending limits tied to inflation and population growth, boosts tax relief for working families, requires zero-based budgeting so agencies justify every dollar, and independent audits to eliminate waste and abuse. It also protects food assistance for seniors, veterans, foster youth, and working Washingtonians facing homelessness, while streamlining Medicaid eligibility to prevent coverage gaps and lower health care premiums.

The plan targets runaway administrative growth in state agencies and higher education while prioritizing frontline services.

"This is not a partisan proposal," Couture concluded. "It's a reality check. We can stabilize the budget and make Washington more affordable - but only if we stop defaulting to higher taxes and start practicing fiscal restraint."

The 2026 legislative session begins Monday, Jan. 12.

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 3

Washington State House Republicans

A Democrat in the state House plans to roll out a new “payroll excise tax” proposal (i.e. an income tax) on Tuesday, December 2, at 1:30 p.m.

2 months ago | [YT] | 10

Washington State House Republicans

Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, issued the following statement after the November revenue forecast indicated further decline in expected revenue.

"Here we go again. Washington's final 2025 revenue forecast shows another drop in expected revenue. Growth keeps sliding despite historic revenues, but the thirst for more government spending is outpacing what the state takes in. Washington has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.

"Sales tax, B&O tax, and use tax collections all came in lower than expected. When families can't afford everyday life and employers can't afford to stay open, the state's revenue falls apart. That's exactly what we're seeing.

"Some Democrats point to a recent Moody's analysis showing Washington may already be in or near recession territory. If that's true, it's even more alarming - especially because many of the other states flagged share the same big-government policies that have helped push Washington down this road.

"The part of the forecast that should concern every Washingtonian is the outlook for jobs. Our state is expected to add only 11,000 jobs in 2025 - barely a blip - and add zero in 2026. Zero. We don't get back to even modest job growth until 2029. For perspective, Washington has averaged more than 2% annual job growth for most of the last decade and a half. The next four years are projected to average barely half a percent.

"That is historically weak. And it's a warning sign.

"Good family-wage construction and manufacturing jobs are disappearing as those industries look for friendlier states. But the larger picture shows that our economy is stagnating, housing permits are collapsing, and affordability keeps getting worse.

"This is what happens when state spending spirals out of control and policies prioritize ideology over economic reality. These policies are pushing our state toward a more centralized, heavy-handed government model that looks a lot like socialism, and it's dragging our economy down with it.

"Last session's $9 billion tax increase didn't solve anything; it just hurt families, small businesses, and the people who need us the most. Now we're heading into 2026 with even more budget problems, and some in the majority are already eyeing new taxes, including an income tax.

"It doesn't have to be this way. The solution is disciplined, prioritized budgeting that focuses on working families, small businesses, and the core services people depend on. Washington needs fiscal restraint, not more ideology and not more taxes. It's time to get our state back on solid ground."

2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 75

Washington State House Republicans

Nearly half a million veterans call Washington state home.

On this Veterans Day, we pause to honor the men and women who have worn our country’s uniform and put themselves in harm’s way to protect our nation and way of life.

Hit the 👍 button to say “thank you” to our veterans.

3 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 37