Olympia Update

By Sen. Mark Schoesler, Rep. Joe Schmick and Rep. Mary Dye

We are back in Olympia for this year's legislative session, which began Jan. 13 and is scheduled to end April 27.

Many classic rock fans remember The Who song "Won't Get Fooled Again." It has a line, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss," that likely will apply to our state's incoming governor, Bob Ferguson. Having seen how Ferguson operated during three terms as attorney general, we suspect he will simply continue in the same extreme-left direction as outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee.

Unfortunately, it's clear that legislative Democrats have been thinking about new and higher taxes for some time to maintain higher spending they've passed in previous legislative sessions to support a bloated government.

In late December, Sen. Noel Frame, a Seattle Democrat, sent two documents to her fellow Senate Democrats that provided arguments and defenses for raising taxes. However, Sen. Frame accidentally sent the documents to all 49 senators, including Republicans. Oops.

The Senate Democrats' "2025 Revenue Options" document outlines their tax proposals. They include:

• Making more people pay the employer payroll taxes.

• Making some corporations pay higher business and occupation taxes while exempting renewable energy developers.

• Modifying the advanced computing surcharge (ACS) cap.

• Creating a capital assets ownership tax.

• Increasing the capital gains income tax.

• Lifting the property-tax levy lid.

• Making people pay sales taxes on the rental of storage units.

• Taxing the sale of ammunition and firearms.

• Increasing the real estate excise tax, which creates higher costs to afford a home.

The revenue discussion presentation from Sen. Frame included this line: "We have to identify the villain and the problem blocking our progress and how we can take action to solve the issue."

Clearly, Frame and the other Democrats who back these proposals want to promote a sense of envy and paint wealthy Washington residents as villains who aren't paying enough in taxes.

Gov. Ferguson's initial approach to the budget sounds reasonable. He's challenging most agencies to tighten their belts between 3% to 6%. Anyone who does a household budget understands quality of life can be maintained, and savings found at that level.

After enduring 12 years of Inslee and his enviro-centric agenda, our largest industry, agriculture, has experienced significant net income drops since 2020. In the last two years, net income declined 22%. Taxes are still being paid as farm families struggle with the cost of production. Cap and tax spending risks the livelihoods of families who produce our food.

Some Democrats have said the rejection of three statewide initiatives in the November election means voters are fine with higher taxes, or new ones. We disagree, and will fight their attempts to impose new, unnecessary taxes on hard-working Washingtonians.

If you plan to visit Olympia during our session and wish to meet with any of us at the Capitol, please reach out to set up an appointment. We would love to see you! Also, feel free to reach out to any of us to ask a question, seek help for a problem with state government, or offer an idea for legislation. Here is how: Sen. Mark Schoesler (360) 786-7620, [email protected]; Rep. Joe Schmick (360) 786-7844, [email protected]; and Rep. Mary Dye (360) 786-7942, [email protected].

We are privileged and appreciate the opportunity to serve you in Olympia.

The 9th District team includes Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville; Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax; and Rep. Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy.