Rep. Travis Couture slams harmful budget proposal from House Democrats

Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the House Democrats operating budget proposal:

“Today, House Democrats released a budget proposal that will crush Washington’s working families.

“House Democrats claim their package of tax proposals will only impact the wealthiest in Washington state. That could not be further from the truth. Instead, this budget proposal will only exacerbate the state’s affordability crisis, making housing, gas, and groceries more expensive.

“This proposal includes a devastating set of tax increases – the largest in state history – all so Democrats can continue their record-breaking spending. If this budget passes, it will hurt Washington employers, price people out of their homes, and hurt everyday Washingtonians.

“The Democrats want to massively increase your property taxes based on inflation and population changes. Their plan moves the tax from 1% to as high as 3%. That increase in property taxes will get worse over time, crippling those already struggling to afford living here and to pay for everyday goods while placing many Washington families and those who need us the most at risk.

“These property tax increases mixed with the Democrats rent control proposal will crush the middle class, decimate working families, and harm the poor.

“Democrat budget writers also propose a massive 50% B&O tax increase on Washington’s largest employers. This is a job-killing tax that will hurt businesses and workers alike and make Washington state less competitive. It is a direct attack on Washington employers and will drive more businesses out of the state, which is already ranked as among the worst states for businesses.

“House Democrats also want to impose an unconstitutional tax on unrealized gains that forces people to pay tax on money they have not earned yet. Not only is this tax scheme unconstitutional, but it also crushes investment and drives jobs out of Washington.

“All of these taxes are not even necessary to meet the spending in this budget, which has an ending fund balance of roughly $6 billion. This means we are raising taxes for no reason other than to pad the state’s pocket.

“Overall, House Democrats’ budget proposal immediately grows the state budget by over 8%, and up more in the out years.

“Despite the largest set of tax increases in state history, if passed this budget would be the 4th consecutive state budget where the state spends more money than it brings in.

“If Democrats pass this budget without reforming the budget process, we will have continued reckless spending and increased taxes, but we will be back here once again facing the same budget woes in the future, and regular Washingtonians will pay the price.”

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov