House Republican budget leader Rep. Travis Couture responds to Gov. Ferguson’s statement on $12 billion in tax proposals from majority Democrats

“While I appreciate Governor Ferguson standing firm against the $12 billion in proposed tax hikes, his statement raises confusion. Why is he warning about potential federal cuts to Medicaid, K-12 education, and child welfare when his own party is slashing those very services right here in Washington?

“Just today, House Democrats advanced policies that strip child support payments from single mothers simply because they receive TANF. They also cut funding for the aged, blind, and disabled, and reduced Medicaid coverage—including for women suffering from postpartum depression. Yet they found room in the budget for health care for undocumented immigrants. On top of that, they’ve passed bill after bill this session that will raise the cost of groceries and health insurance, deepening our affordability crisis.

“The governor should focus less on Washington, D.C., and more on the real harm caused by Democrat policies in this Washington. Our state’s affordability crisis is being driven by reckless spending and an ideological agenda that doesn’t reflect the priorities of most Washingtonians.

“We agree with the governor that $12 billion in new taxes is unsustainable—but so is $8 billion, $5 billion, or $3 billion. The only acceptable number is zero. State government must rein in spending and stop funding partisan projects at the expense of essential services. The only winners in the Democrats’ budget are politicians, bureaucrats, and criminals.

“Governor Ferguson has called for a more efficient government that works for the people—not one that protects government failure. Republicans couldn’t agree more. It’s time to pass a no-new-tax budget that cuts waste, not services, and restores the public’s trust in how their money is spent.”

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov