Today, a bill that would reduce higher ed assistance to vulnerable populations has now cleared both chambers of the legislature.
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, opposed the bill, along with Senate Republicans. The bill received 28 yays and 20 nays and heads to the governor for a signature.
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, and staff, and Gov. Bob Ferguson/Credit: Washington State Senate
OLYMPIA… Today the governor signed legislation introduced by Sen. Matt Boehnke to strengthen and safeguard Washington’s turf-seed industry. The agriculture bill lays the groundwork for a more transparent and reliable turf-seed market by promoting contract integrity, protecting producers and buyers, and providing swift resolution for disputes.
The new law authorizes the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to establish rules requiring seed dealers to provide financial assurances for turf-seed production and purchase contracts. It also empowers WSDA to offer mediation services to help resolve conflicts before they escalate into costly legal battles.
“This is a major step forward for fairness, accountability, and trust in the turf-seed industry,” said Boehnke, R-Kennewick. “By requiring financial backing for contracts and creating a path for dispute resolution, this new law protects our producers, landscapers, and anyone who relies on turf seed to get the job done. It’s a smart policy which is an example of how we can and should strengthen Washington’s agricultural economy from the ground up.”
Turf-seed production is vital in Washington’s ag sector, supplying seed for everything from sports fields to public parks to residential lawns. The law created by SB 5074 is designed to reduce risk, encourage fair business practices, and build confidence among buyers and sellers alike.
“This will ensure that contracts are honored and disputes are resolved fairly,” Boehnke added. “It’s about protecting livelihoods and promoting a healthy, predictable marketplace—one rural Washington can count on.”
The bill was signed on the 100th day of the 105-day legislative session and will become law in July 27, 2025. The legislative session began January 13 and is scheduled to end April 27.
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Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate
OLYMPIA… In a stark rebuke of the majority party’s latest tax agenda, Sen. Matt Boehnke today issued a statement following the Senate’s passage of three major tax bills—Senate Bill 5813, Senate Bill 5814, and Senate Bill 5794—all of which impose new or expanded tax burdens on Washington residents and businesses.
“At a time when families are facing higher costs on everything from groceries to gas, the majority party is doubling down on a tax-and-spend agenda that punishes work, savings, and innovation,” Boehnke said. “These bills do not reflect the values or priorities of Washingtonians. They reflect a government addicted to spending.”
SB 5813 would impose a 2.9% surcharge on capital gains over $1 million, on top of the existing 7% tax, and raise the estate-tax rate for estates exceeding $12 million to a staggering 35%, from the current 20%.
SB 5814 would expand the state sales tax to professional and digital services, targeting industries like IT, staffing, security systems, and digital advertising; it also includes a budget maneuver requiring large businesses to prepay taxes a month in advance to paper over a shortfall.
Nearly 97% of the residents who weighed in on SB 5814 opposed the bill – which Democrats framed as a “modernization” of the tax code – citing concerns over increased consumer costs, hidden taxes on services, and regressive impacts on middle-class families.
SB 5794 would eliminate over 60 tax preferences—some longstanding and critical to regional industries—and impose new taxes on aircraft and storage units, while selectively expanding incentives only in certain areas.
Boehnke, R-Kennewick, issued the additional statements following the Senate’s vote:
“SB 5813 sends a loud message to job creators and entrepreneurs: Washington doesn’t want you here. By pushing our capital gains and estate taxes to among the highest in the nation, we risk driving away the very people who invest in our economy, start businesses, and create jobs.”
“SB 5814 is a masterclass in how to hurt the economy while pretending to fix the budget. This bill taxes innovation, penalizes workers, and uses accounting gimmicks to fund unsustainable spending. It’s the wrong solution at the worst time.
“Let’s be clear: SB 5794 is not a cleanup bill—it’s a sweep. Instead of reforming tax preferences with care and accountability, this bill wipes out incentives that have supported jobs, economic development, and regional competitiveness for decades. The elimination of a preferred tax rate is, by definition, a tax hike.
“These bills aren’t about fairness—they’re about funding runaway spending on the backs of working Washingtonians. There is a better way to budget, starting with respecting taxpayers and restoring fiscal discipline.”
The 105-day legislative session is on its 97th day and will conclude on April 27.
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Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate
OLYMPIA… Before the 2025 legislative session concludes in 12 days, lawmakers must adopt three new state budgets – the largest being the operating budget, which funds most state agencies and the services they provide.
Our state does have a budget gap caused by chronic overspending, but Senate Republicans have proposed a plan to close it. Using the $5 billion in additional revenue that is expected, and a combination of savings and efficiencies, we can fund the priorities Washingtonians share, boost K-12 funding by billions, protect the state’s rainy-day fund, and avoid cutting services, all without a single tax increase. The “$ave Washington” plan is Senate Bill 5810 (more detail is available here).
The Senate’s majority Democrats are treating the budget gap as an excuse to raise your taxes. In late March they proposed over $21 BILLION in new taxes, and just in time for today – Tax Day in America – they introduced five more tax bills, totaling an estimated $12 BILLION.
Again, legislators aren’t facing a revenue shortage — the problem is runaway spending. It’s legislative negligence, not fiscal responsibility, for Democrats to propose tax hikes even though another $5 billion is expected to come in, without any change in the tax code. Washington families are already struggling with inflation, rising housing costs, and higher energy bills. The last thing they need is a heavier tax burden.
The five new tax bills will be heard in the Senate Ways and Means Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m., tomorrow, in Senate Hearing Room 4 in the John A. Cherberg Building on the Capitol Campus in Olympia.
Here’s my take on what each of the new tax bills means. Keep reading for how you can let the committee know your opinions about them.
This bill tells job creators, “Thanks for investing in Washington — now here’s your punishment.” It’s anti-growth, anti-innovation, and out of touch with the realities of running a business in this state.
All session long we’ve heard the majority talk about making the wealthy pay more. But as they say, talk is cheap, because increasing the sales tax on certain services has the opposite effect – it’s harder on lower- and middle-income families.
SB 5813 – Capital Gains & Estate Tax Hikes
When the tax on capital-gains income was imposed by Democrats in 2021, Republicans warned that it would eventually fail to generate the desired amount of money – and then the majority would look to expand the tax. Sure enough, that day has arrived, and Democrats want to increase the tax by 40% on an upper level of capital gains.
SB 5812 – Property Tax Increases
Tripling the cap on the annual growth rate of property taxes wouldn’t just go against the will of the people who set the cap at 1%; doing so when Washington already has a shortage of affordable housing would really squeeze families, seniors, and renters. The truth is, governments can already exceed the cap – they just need voter approval, but their lives would be easier if Democrats change the law.
The majority seems to have a love-hate relationship with electric vehicles. You can get a credit from the state for buying an EV, but at the same time EVs are blamed for a drop off in the gas-tax revenue that helps fund highway maintenance and construction. This takes the anger in a different direction, because it appears Tesla would be the only automaker hit by this bill.
How can you make your views known?
Visit this link and choose a bill to open the “select type of testimony” options. The simplest option is to have your position “noted for the legislative record” – meaning PRO or CON.
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VIDEO—Sen Matt Boehnke addresses concerns over proposed Democrat tax increases, highlighting their impact on technology, higher education & manufacturing. He urges citizens to oppose these measures to protect businesses and innovation #waleg
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate
OLYMPIA… Legislation sponsored by Sen. Matt Boehnke to support Washington’s turf-seed industry has passed both chambers of the Legislature and now heads to the governor’s desk for final consideration.
Senate Bill 5074 would establish updated regulations for selling and distributing turf seed grass, providing greater contract security, promoting fair business practices, and authorizing mediation services through the Washington State Department of Agriculture to help resolve disputes efficiently.
Boehnke, R-Kennewick, issued this statement following the Senate’s unanimous vote:
“This bill is about creating fairness, transparency, and accountability in Washington’s turf seed industry. By requiring financial assurances from seed dealers, we’re helping to protect producers and buyers from contract failures that can lead to serious financial setbacks.”
“One of the key features of this bill is that it authorizes the Washington State Department of Agriculture to offer mediation services. Agricultural disputes can be costly and time-consuming, giving farmers and businesses a cost-effective, efficient way to resolve contract issues without going to court.”
“While turf seed may not be as widely recognized as other crops like wheat or grapes, it’s a vital part of our agricultural sector. This legislation helps ensure a more stable, predictable environment for everyone involved in the industry, supporting its long-term health and competitiveness.”
The 105-day legislative session began Jan. 13 and is scheduled to conclude on April 27.
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Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate
OLYMPIA… On April 10, the state House of Representatives approved legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke that is intended to make college or a technical school more accessible for Washington students. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for further consideration.
Senate Bill 5543 would extend eligibility for College Bound scholarships to students with a high school-equivalency certificate. Currently, only students with a high-school diploma are eligible.
Boehnke, R-Kennewick, who serves on the Senate Higher Education Committee, issued this statement about his legislation:
“This bill is about opportunity and fairness. By expanding College Bound Scholarship eligibility to students with a high school-equivalency certificate, we recognize that not all students follow the same path, which shouldn’t limit their future. Every student willing to work to pursue higher education deserves the chance to access the financial support that makes it possible.”
“Many students who earn an equivalency certificate have overcome significant personal, academic, or economic obstacles. Senate Bill 5443 would ensure those students aren’t left behind simply because they didn’t earn a traditional diploma. By opening the door to financial aid, we’re helping them take the next step toward a brighter future and a better career.”
“Supporting non-traditional learners is just good policy. When we make college more accessible for all students, no matter how they completed high school, we invest in a stronger, more skilled workforce. This bill would promote educational equity, strengthen our economy, and help close opportunity gaps across Washington.”
The 105-day legislative session began Jan. 13 and is scheduled to conclude on April 27.
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Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate
OLYMPIA… As Republican leader on the Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee, Sen. Matt Boehnke has worked hard to improve the state’s energy policy. His bill to improve the state’s climate-data reporting is headed for the late-session step known as “concurrence” after receiving a second unanimous vote, this time from the House of Representatives.
Senate Bill 5036 would transition the state from biennial to annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting, giving lawmakers and the public timelier access to critical environmental data. By requiring the state Department of Ecology and Department of Commerce to report emissions yearly, the bill aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and the effectiveness of Washington’s climate-action planning.
“This bill is about getting policymakers the information they need when needed,” said Boehnke, R-Kennewick. “Annual greenhouse gas reporting means we’re not waiting two years to understand where we stand—it gives us the ability to respond faster, adjust strategies, and make decisions based on the most current data available.”
“We have a responsibility to make sure that our policies are not just ambitious, but achievable,” Boehnke explained. “This bill helps us track real-time progress, measure results, and hold ourselves accountable to the climate goals we’ve committed to. It’s a smart, practical step forward.”
By moving to more frequent emissions tracking, the bill will support stronger climate accountability by ensuring that state agencies remain transparent and current in reporting progress toward climate goals.
“When people see the numbers yearly, they can better understand how we’re doing and where we need to improve,” Boehnke added. “That kind of visibility builds trust, keeps the public engaged, and reinforces that Washington is serious about taking meaningful climate action.”
The bill passed the House on a 96-0 vote on April 10 after receiving unanimous support in the Senate.
The 105-day legislative session began Jan. 13 and is scheduled to conclude on April 27.
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Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature
OLYMPIA… Friday, Sen. Matt Boehnke voiced strong opposition to the Senate majority’s approval of House Bill 1296, calling the legislation “a direct assault on parental authority and local control in education.”
The bill would significantly expand the power of the state’s superintendent of public instruction to investigate and penalize school districts for perceived noncompliance with specific state laws. Like Senate Bill 5181, passed by the Senate majority in early February, it also would strip away key provisions supported by voters and legislators through 2024’s passage of Initiative 2081, to protect parents’ rights in public education.
Boehnke, R-Kennewick, issued this statement following the Senate vote:
“This legislation is a Trojan horse. It’s marketed as a student-safety bill but would gut vital protections for parents, shifts decision-making from local communities to unelected bureaucrats, and opens the door for overreach by the state in ways that voters never intended.
“This bill goes directly against the will of the voters who supported parental notification and oversight. It’s also inconsistent, to put it nicely, for our Democratic colleagues to make any amount of education funding contingent on compliance with state law. What if that compliance puts a school district at odds with federal education policy? This bill isn’t just misleading – it borders on bullying.
“This legislation creates a climate of fear and top-down control. We should be empowering families and communities, not threatening teachers and school boards into silence.”
“Our public education system must be a partnership between families, educators, and local communities. ESHB 1296 breaks that partnership. It is government overreach, plain and simple.”
The 2025 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn Sunday, April 27.
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Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature
OLYMPIA… Yesterday, Sen. Matt Boehnke voiced serious concerns following the Senate majority’s approval of House Bill 1217, which would cap annual rent increases at 10%.
Prior to its passage, the rent-increase cap was lifted from the 7% in the bill adopted by the House, which means HB 1217 must return to that chamber for consideration of the changes.
Boehnke warned that any cap in the bill, while presented as a solution to rising housing costs, could backfire by destabilizing the rental market and discouraging housing development.
Boehnke, R-Kennewick, issued this statement following the Senate vote:
“This bill is built on the wrong premise. Limiting rent increases might sound helpful on the surface, but in practice, it discourages investment in new housing and puts small property owners in an impossible position.
“If the goal is to make housing more affordable, we need to increase the number of homes available, not pile on restrictions that make it harder to provide them. In other cities, heavy-handed policies like this led to fewer rentals and a deteriorating housing supply.
“The small landlords aren’t large corporate owners holding massive portfolios. These residents saved, invested, and are now punished for trying to provide housing. They’re being asked to absorb rising property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs without the ability to adjust rent accordingly. That is not sustainable.
“Washington needs more housing, less red tape, and policies supporting tenants and responsible landlords. This bill may satisfy specific interest groups, but it does nothing to solve the root of the problem. I remain committed to advancing legislation encouraging construction, supporting renters, and building a better future for all Washingtonians.”
The 2025 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn Sunday, April 27.
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Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, and Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick/CREDIT: Washington State Legislature
OLYMPIA… Sen. Matt Boehnke, Rep. April Connors, and Rep. Stephanie Barnard are championing critical 8th District investments included in the proposed 2025-27 House and Senate capital budgets. Both proposals must still be reconciled before final approval by the Legislature and the governor.
The state’s capital budget funds construction and improvement projects that support public schools, colleges and universities, correctional and juvenile rehabilitation facilities, behavioral health institutions, state offices, parks and recreational facilities, low-income housing, museums and cultural facilities, local government infrastructure, environmental cleanup, and habitat conservation and restoration.
Proposed investments specific to the 8th District include:
Additional regional projects benefiting the 8th District and located in the Tri-Cities area include:
A list of all proposed capital budget projects can be found here.
Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick:
“The proposed capital budgets make meaningful investments in the future of the 8th District, supporting education, public safety, and critical infrastructure. These projects would strengthen our communities, create growth opportunities, and improve the quality of life for residents. I remain committed to ensuring these investments receive final approval and that our district continues to receive the support it needs to thrive.”
Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick:
“Our region is a vital part of Washington’s economy. The capital investments we’re fighting for are more than just line items-they’re a reflection of our values and vision. We want to support families, create opportunities, and strengthen our workforce while enhancing public spaces and fueling future growth. I’m committed to doing everything I can to ensure these projects are included in the final budget.”
Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco:
“These proposals put people first. Even as other parts of the state budget face shortfalls, the capital budget seeks to deliver targeted, responsible investments right here in the Tri-Cities region. From expanding health services at Tri-Cities Community Health to upgrading school facilities at Tri-Tech Skills Center, and upgrading key infrastructure at WSU Tri-Cities and Benton REA, these are the kinds of projects that make a real difference-and we’re doing it in a fiscally responsible way.”
The 2025 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn Sunday, April 27.
