Couture blasts Ferguson for caving to radical left on income tax after affordability promises

House Republican Budget Leader Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, issued the following statement in response to Gov. Ferguson’s announcement of support for Democrats’ income tax proposal:

“Here we go again. Gov. Ferguson puts up a fight for show, only to cave to the radical left in the end.

“He repeatedly said he would not sign an income tax bill that didn’t make life more affordable for Washingtonians. Today, that promise collapsed like a cheap tent. The governor announced he’ll sign the revised income tax bill pushed by legislative Democrats.

“And what exactly did he fold for? More reckless spending.

“The governor points to reductions on small-business taxes and an expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit as proof this bill makes life more affordable. But that expansion is nowhere near enough to offset the damage this income tax will do to Washington’s economy or the families already struggling to keep up with rising costs.

“The governor highlighted the dedication of five percent of the income tax revenue to early learning and child care through the Fair Start for Kids account, revealing how he’s already planning to use money from the unconstitutional income tax to pay down the costs of Democrats’ earlier reckless spending and policy decisions that they kicked down the road.

“This is the same pattern Washingtonians have seen before. When he first took office, Gov. Ferguson talked tough about reining in spending and protecting taxpayers. In the end, those promises turned out to be piecrust promises — easily made, easily broken.

“We do not oppose providing tax relief. What we oppose is using an unconstitutional income tax to do it.

“Last year, he signaled he would resist new taxes. Instead, he signed the largest tax increase in state history.

“Now he’s doing it again — putting on a show of concern for affordability before caving to the radical left’s demand for an unconstitutional income tax to fund their spending addiction.

“Washington families deserve a governor who stands up to reckless spending, not one who caves in the moment the pressure starts.

“You don’t solve affordability with more taxes; you can’t tax your way to prosperity.”

###

Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov