Radio Report: House Democrats reject Republican amendments, pass supplemental operating budget plan

March 1, 2026

House Republicans fought hard Saturday night against the majority House Democrats’ supplemental operating budget, offering amendments and warning the plan raids pensions, drains reserves, and gambles on a new state income tax. But Democrats passed it after a six-and-a-half-hour debate. John Sattgast reports.

SATTGAST: House Republican Budget Leader Travis Couture says the record eighty-billion-dollar spending plan adds two billion dollars in new spending, assumes billions in new taxes, and relies on an unconstitutional income tax.

COUTURE: “The best way I could describe this is maxing out a credit card and then using another credit card to pay it off. It’s reckless, it’s irresponsible.”

SATTGAST: Couture also warns the budget depends on about four billion dollars from the LEOFF 1 police and firefighter pension account and drains hundreds of millions from the state’s rainy-day fund.

After record tax increases from last year, Representative April Connors says Washington families have reached their limit.

CONNORS: “Gas prices are up. Grocery prices are up. Housing prices are up. And tonight’s answer? Grow government.”

SATTGAST: After Democrats rejected nearly 20 Republican amendments, the budget passed 52-41. All Republicans voted no, and five Democrats broke ranks.

The budget now heads to the Senate for negotiations on a final plan.

John Sattgast, the state Capitol.