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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2026 legislative session officially came to a close last week, after lawmakers passed three supplemental budgets that will guide state spending in the year ahead: the operating, transportation, and capital budgets. While I’m glad to see some investments that benefit our communities, I remain concerned about the overall direction of spending, the lack of results, and the lack of meaningful action to ease the financial strain facing families across Washington.
Historic State Income Tax Passes After Marathon Debate
During the last week of session, and following a marathon 24-hour floor debate that marked one of the longest continuous legislative battles ever, majority Democrats approved legislation creating a new state income tax, Senate Bill 6346. The controversial measure advanced despite unified Republican opposition and extensive efforts to amend the proposal.
I strongly oppose this legislation that creates Washington’s first state income tax and marks a major shift in the state’s long-standing tax structure. Washington residents have repeatedly voted against any kind of income tax in the state and state government should listen to the people they represent.
Every House Republican, along with eight House Democrats, voted against the measure, which imposes a 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million.
House Republicans waged a marathon floor fight and introduced more than 50 amendments aimed at protecting taxpayers, increasing transparency, and preventing the tax from expanding in the future. Most of those proposals were rejected by the majority party.
Washington already ranks among the most expensive states to live and operate a business. Families already struggling with higher prices on housing, groceries, and fuel should not be bracing for another financial hit.
Adding a state income tax sends a message to job creators that costs and uncertainty will only continue to rise. That discourages investment, slows job growth, and ultimately hurts the families and businesses lawmakers claim they are trying to protect.
Another Bloated Operating Budget
Families in our communities continue to make tough choices every day to keep up with rising costs, and state government should do the same.
Despite a continued deficit to cover the cost, the Legislature approved a supplemental operating budget (Senate Bill 5998) exceeding $80 billion, continuing a troubling trend of rapid government growth. The budget relies on uncertain revenue projections and shifts funds from reserves and other accounts to balance the books, raising long-term sustainability concerns.
At the same time, this budget reduces support for critical services, including education, health care, child care, and long-term care. These cuts hit hardest in smaller communities that already have fewer resources and limited access to care. People across our district are feeling the pressure of higher prices for groceries, fuel, housing, and insurance.
This budget misses an opportunity to provide real relief, choosing instead to expand government while leaving many of those everyday affordability challenges unaddressed.
For example, here’s what people in Washington are dealing with.
- Washington is the third-most-expensive state in the nation.
- Washington has the highest gas prices in the nation, about 45% above the national average.
- The Seattle metro area is now the fourth-most-expensive place in America to raise a child, with annual costs of $34,448.
- Statewide, Washington is the eighth-most-expensive state to raise a child, with families spending nearly $28,000 a year on essentials.
- Washington ranks as the third-most-expensive state for married couples and fifth-most-expensive for single parents when child care costs are measured against income.
- Washington is the nation’s fifth-most-unaffordable state for housing.
- The median price of a new home in Washington is $700,683, and 82% of Washington households cannot afford one.
- Washington has the sixth-highest rents in the nation.
These are real numbers affecting real people and businesses. This is the affordability crisis Washington families are living through every single day.
Capital Budget Includes Important Funding for the 18th District
Lawmakers also passed the supplemental capital budget (Senate Bill 6003), which allows lawmakers to adjust funding for construction and infrastructure projects such as schools, housing, water systems, parks, and public buildings. The spending plan also addresses emerging issues and allows us to respond to feedback from administering agencies. The capital budget is funded through a variety of funding sources, including general obligation bonds, dedicated cash accounts, federal funds, and alternative financing contracts.
As the assistant ranking Republican on the House Capital Budget Committee, I worked to secure more than $10.3 million in funding for the 18th District. I’m happy to see these projects included in the final version of the budget.
Funding for Projects in the 18th includes:
- $4,050,000 for the Hidden Village Mobile Home Park through the Housing Trust Fund.
- $3,500,000 for the Family Forest Fish Passage program.
- $309,000 for the Clark County Fire District 3.
- $228,000 for Madrona Youth Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Facility tenant improvements that will enable them to open to capacity.
- $258,000 for the distributed antenna system installation for the Battle Ground School District.
- $400,000 for the city of Battle Ground Remy Park, inclusive play equipment for disabled children.
- $1,000,000 for the city of Battle Ground 92nd Avenue Pump Station.
- $600,000 for Salmon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant aeration equipment replacement.
These are all important projects that will benefit our communities and the people who live there.
Save the Date – In-District Town Hall
Lastly, be sure to join Rep. John Ley and me at our 18th district in-person town hall meeting on Saturday, Mar. 28, at 10:00 a.m. at the Battle Ground City Hall, 109 SW 1st Street, Battle Ground, WA 98604. In addition to the new state income tax and massive operating budget, this town hall meeting is a great opportunity for you to learn more about everything else that just happened in Olympia that affects you and the entire state of Washington. I hope to see you there.
Stay Engaged and Continue Reaching Out
Thank you for allowing me to serve. Please continue reaching out with your comments, questions, and concerns. I also encourage you to stay informed on House Republicans’ efforts to fix Washington by following us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
Sincerely,
Stephanie McClintock
