Radio Report: State income tax bill draws record opposition in House Finance Committee

February 24, 2026

The House Finance Committee heard public testimony Tuesday on a Democrat-sponsored bill that could open the door to a statewide income tax. Republicans say the bill is unconstitutional and should not be rushed through the final days of the legislative session. John Sattgast reports from Olympia.

SATTGAST: More than 101 thousand people signed in against the high earners’ state income tax, shattering prior opposition records. Legislative Republicans oppose it. House Republican Deputy Leader Chris Corry…

CORRY: “Obviously our first priority is to stop it because it’s unconstitutional.”

SATTGAST: Former Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna was among those who testified Tuesday. He told lawmakers if they want an income tax, they should follow the constitution and take the question directly to voters.

MCKENNA: “And not pretend the constitution isn’t clear unless every legislator who votes for this bill is prepared to explain why taxpayers don’t have a property right to their own income.”

SATTGAST: House Republican Budget Leader Travis Couture warns Democrats are building the income tax into the proposed House supplemental operating budget, even though that budget has not passed.

COUTURE: “We hinge our entire budget future here and balanced budget off of an unconstitutional income tax.”

SATTGAST: The House Finance Committee is scheduled to vote Friday on Senate Bill 6346. John Sattgast, the state Capitol.