Tag Archives: budget

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

Public hearings on five new tax bills this Wednesday

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.

SB 5815 – B&O Tax Expansion

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.

SB 5814 – Sales Tax Expansion

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.

SB 5811 – EV Credit Tax

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

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8th LD Legislators - Sen. Matt Boehnke, Rep. Stephannie Barnard, and Rep. April Connors, March 24, 2023.

8th District lawmakers highlight proposed capital budget funding for local projects, pledge continued advocacy to secure final approval

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:

  • $3.8 million – Three Rivers Recovery Housing
  • $750,000 – Columbia Park East Boat Launch replacement
  • $515,000 – Road 80 Neighborhood Park
  • $342,000 – Food distribution and storage improvements
  • $309,000 – Municipal Services Facility backup power generator
  • $280,000 – Tri-Tech Skills Center HVAC RTU replacement
  • $88,000 – Tri-Cities Community Health

Additional regional projects benefiting the 8th District and located in the Tri-Cities area include:

  • $54 million – Columbia Basin College performing arts center replacement (16th LD)
  • $40 million – Capital preservation at Washington State University Tri-Cities (16th LD)
  • $18 million – Columbia Basin College student housing construction (16th LD)
  • Over $5 million – Other Columbia Basin College projects (16th LD)
  • $4 million – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory test bed (16th LD)
  • $1.425 million – Boys & Girls Club, Pasco (14th LD)
  • $1.03 million – Columbia Basin Health Association (16th LD)
  • $1 million – Benton REA wildfire resilience project (15th LD)
  • $1 million – Mid-Columbia Children’s Museum (16th LD)
  • $927,000 – Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center renovation and expansion (14th LD)
  • $865,000 – Boys & Girls Club, Prosser (15th LD)
  • $700,000 – Grid-scale coordination (16th LD)
  • $187,000 – Richland Readiness Center AV installation (16th LD)

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.

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

Boehnke opposes Senate Democrats’ $78.5 billion budget, largest tax hike in state history

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Sen. Matt Boehnke joined Senate Republicans today in voting against Senate Bill 5167, the majority Democrats’ 2025-27 operating budget, which dramatically increases state spending and relies on the largest set of tax hikes in Washington State history.

Prior to adopting their $78.5 billion budget proposal, majority Democrats rejected the Senate Republicans’ $ave Washington approach, which would have balanced the budget without raising taxes or cutting essential services. That plan was voted down along party lines, 30-19.

Despite bipartisan opposition, the Senate budget was passed 28-21. Once the House adopts an operating budget, which is expected to happen Monday, budget leaders from the two chambers will meet to work on a compromise version.

Senator Boehnke, R-Kennewick and Ranking Member on the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, issued this statement:

“The budget passed by the Democrats today would cut support for child care, force an increase in tuition at our state-run colleges and universities, raise the costs of hunting and fishing licenses and the Discover Pass, reduce the pay of state employees through furloughs, and more – all while increasing taxes by a record $21 billion. And they adopted that budget after voting down the budget we proposed, even though our plan didn’t require a single tax increase or make a single service cut yet supports K-12 education and other priorities we all share.

“A responsible budget isn’t just about how much we spend—it’s about setting the right priorities, and the priorities in the majority’s budget are clearly wrong. It’s more than just the tax hikes and cuts; they would almost completely drain the state’s rainy-day fund, even though our state is not in a recession and revenues are still on the rise. The budget we offered is focused on preserving core services, and the complete lack of tax increases ensures fiscal responsibility. That’s real value for Washingtonians, and the better way for our state. Fortunately, the Senate budget isn’t the final version, and there is still time for some sanity to overcome the tax madness we’re seeing from the Democrats.”

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

Boehnke, Senate Republicans push back on Democrats’ tax-heavy budget proposal

Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate

OLYMPIA… Sen. Matt Boehnke is among the Senate Republicans sounding the alarm over the 2025-27 operating budget proposed Monday by the Senate’s majority Democrats, which calls for nearly $78.5 billion in spending and includes significant tax increases that would burden Washington families and businesses. The plan, which outspends the no-new-taxes, no-cuts Senate Republican “$ave Washington” proposal by $3 billion, prioritizes government expansion over real solutions for working families.

Senator Boehnke, R-Kennewick and Ranking Member on the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee, issued this statement:

“Washingtonians are already struggling with the high cost of living, yet Democrats are pushing a budget that demands billions in new taxes while cutting critical services. This plan fails to support working parents and small businesses and creates additional barriers for students to access higher education. It’s clear where their priorities lie—growing government instead of easing financial burdens on taxpayers and increasing college attendance. The ‘$ave Washington’ budget from Senate Republicans proves we can fund essential services, fully support K-12 education, and protect our most vulnerable citizens without raising a tax or cutting a single service.”

“The Democrats’ budget proposal requires the largest tax increases in state history, yet it still leaves behind those who need help the most. Cutting financial aid while raising tuition, slashing childcare support, and making outdoor recreation more costly is not the way to move Washington forward. On top of that, the Senate majority’s plan would even double the annual bed fees in long-term care facilities like nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. Republicans have proven there is a better way—we can fund key priorities, invest in public safety, and balance the budget without burdening families with higher taxes.”

The 105-day legislative session began Jan. 13 and is scheduled to conclude on April 27.

 

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VIDEO

Sen. Matt Boehnke warns of rising taxes and tuition, emphasizing the impact on higher education. Tuition hikes across WA colleges will affect students statewide. He urges the public to stay engaged and voice concerns against increasing tuition.

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