Budget and Taxes Showdown between Governor Ferguson and Legislative Democrats

A Legislative Update from Representative Brian Burnett

information released

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I had my first appearance on TVW this week. TVW is like a state version of C-SPAN. They cover the Legislature and other government and public affairs. My interview was about my experience as a freshman legislator, but also about my background as a former Chelan County Sheriff and how that experience transfers to being a legislator. We talked about the drug crisis, the need for more law enforcement officers, and what we can do to make our streets safer.

Click here to watch the video on TVW’s website.

Budget and Taxes

I’m sure you’ve been hearing a lot about tax increases and the need to raise more revenue this legislative session to meet all of Washington state’s obligations. But here’s the most important fact to remember: Extreme overspending by Democrats has turned a multi-billion dollar state surplus in into a multi-billion dollar shortfall in just a few short years. How did we get here? The majority party has ignored Republican concerns (as well as the official Economic & Revenue Forecast Council). Here’s a snapshot:

As a result of never saying “no” to special interest groups with their hands out, the state now has a significant budget hole. Democrats in the Senate are proposing around $18 billion in new and increased taxes and Democrats in the House want around $14 billion (I voted NO on the House budget which we debated until after midnight on Monday). These include a massive property tax increase, a significant B&O tax increase, a payroll tax, and a constitutionally-weak “wealth tax” that may not stand up to court scrutiny but will for sure drive businesses, jobs, innovation, and entrepreneurs out of Washington state.

Gov. Bob Ferguson tells Democrat budget writers to go back to the drawing board

Much has already been written about the state budget and the Democrats’ largest tax increase package in state history, but the governor threw in a surprise this week. Gov. Bob Ferguson held a press conference where he drew several lines in the sand and told Democrat budget writers to go back to the drawing board:

Gov. Ferguson comes out against Democrats’ budget proposal with new taxes – The Center Square
Gov. Ferguson rejects Democrats’ budget proposals with new taxes – Cascade PBS
Debate over taxes to balance budget – KIRO 7
NOT an April Fools Joke: Governor Bob Ferguson won’t sign Washington Democrats’ insane budget – KVI
Washington governor rejects use of wealth tax to balance budget – Washington State Standard

The governor realizes we can’t tax our way out of a decade of reckless spending. While I’m sure he will support some “smaller” tax increases – which I will NOT support – it is refreshing for a governor to be engaged and understanding of the realities we face in Olympia and around the state. In fact, his five core budget priorities which he outlined at his press conference, could have been written by Republican budget writers:

• Protect the Budget Stabilization Account (Also known as reserves or the rainy-day fund.)
• Base Revenue on Realistic Growth Forecasts (The state “allows” for a 4.5% economic growth assumption in revenues, even if it KNOWS the revenue will fall short – and it has in recent budgets!)
• Minimize New Investments (Stop spending! When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging!)
• Must Find Efficiencies and Savings (The overspending of the last decade must be addressed. Promises made will not be fulfilled. As the governor said, “Sometimes you just have to tell your friends ‘no’ when it comes to the budget.“)
• Cannot Rely on Revenue that Can Be Overturned in Court (The so-called “wealth tax” may not hold up in court, never mind that it would drive entrepreneurs and businesses to other states, stifle innovation and economic growth, and lead to significant job loses – and absolutely WOULD NOT bring in the amount of money the Democrats project it will.)

The governor insists he will not sign a budget that doesn’t meet these criteria. There are still about three weeks left in session, and anything can happen. It will be interesting to see if the governor stays strong against the tax-and-spend desires of budget writers in the Legislature. Or if he eventually caves to special interests and his legislative friends.

Apple Blossom Court Royalty visits the legislature – March 2025

Parents’ Bill of Rights under attack

Nearly half a million people signed a petition to send Initiative 2081 to the Legislature last year, which passed into law with near unanimous support. Unfortunately, the majority party is NOT siding with a majority of Washingtonians. They are trying to gut the Parents’ Bill of Rights!

With House Bill 1296, many of the provisions that parents and our communities fought so hard for have been removed from existing law. The right for parents to view their child’s school medical records immediately, especially in cases of abuse, is deleted. As is a parent’s right to view curriculum and reading lists. It should be noted that when one of my colleagues started to read directly from literature encouraged by the state, he was gaveled down because it was “too graphic” for the House of Representatives. But NOT too graphic for our kids?

In addition, it includes more concessions to “gender-inclusion” policies and “gender-expansive” students. And, because Democrats put an “emergency clause” on the bill, it cannot be altered by a referendum for two years!

Despite our 6-hour fight on the House floor (which went until almost 3:00 a.m. the next day) where we offered over 50 amendments, the bill passed with no Republican support. It is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Friday, April 4 at 1:30 p.m. If you click the bill number above (or the graphic below) it will take you to the bill page where you can leave comments, sign up to testify, or even submit written testimony. Those options will be on the righthand side of the page and will look like this:

Let your voice be heard, folks!

Bad gun bills still alive

HB 1163, the “Permit to Purchase” bill is still alive. To get a permit, an individual would need to show proof they’ve taken a certified firearm safety training program within the last five years, and undergo enhanced background checks. It also imposes new training requirement for concealed pistol licenses (CPL). I do NOT support this bill. It was passed by the House and is now in the Senate. It is also scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Friday, April 4 at 1:30 p.m.

HB 1386, the tax on guns, gun parts, and ammunition, better known as “The Ammo Tax” bill, is still alive. Even though many people think it is “dead” because it didn’t make it through a key legislative deadline, it can be viewed as “necessary to implement the budget,” or NTIB. If a bill has a revenue component, like a tax, it can always be added to the final budget proposal. It is entirely possible the ruling party in Olympia will add this to their budget as a way to both increase revenues and to punish gun owners.

I want to thank all of you who joined us for our virtual town hall a few weeks ago. And for those who have contacted my office with your thoughts, questions, and opinions on the legislative session and other state issues. Your input is invaluable as I fight for our collective priorities in Olympia!

Sincerely,

Brian Burnett