‘Largest tax increase in state history’

Gov signs WA's $78B operating budget into law

(The Center Square) – Gov. Bob Ferguson rejected a wealth tax from fellow Democrats this session and repeatedly said he would look for budget savings, but on Tuesday – the deadline for doing so – he signed Washington state’s nearly $78 billion, two-year operating budget into law that raises taxes by roughly $9 billion over the next four years. The operating budget includes several tax increases, including a new business and occupation gross tax on storage units. The budget also includes increases to the state's two primary business and occupation tax rates on gross proceeds, an increase in the tax rate for service businesses with annual taxable revenue exceeding $5 million, and a broadened capital gains tax. There’s also a tax on the sale of electric vehicle credits, dubbed the “Tesla tax.”

New Washington law directs $100M in grants toward hiring police, improving public safety

OLYMPIA — On his first day, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson angered many Democratic lawmakers by demanding the Legislature put $100 million in the next state budget to help local police departments hire police officers. “That idea was a cornerstone of my campaign for Governor. Any budget I sign must include this funding,” he said in his Jan. 15 inaugural address. On Monday, there were clear signs of a rapprochement as Ferguson signed House Bill 2015 that embeds a $100 million grant program in a broad policy bill designed to let local and tribal governments decide how best to use those dollars – even if that means not hiring a single new cop. “It’s a wonderful bill,

Will Washington state’s higher capital gains tax drive businesses away?

Washington state residents who have sold long-term capital assets, such as stocks and bonds, exceeding $1 million will have to pay an increased capital gains tax.

Oct. 1 brings new taxes for Washington businesses and consumers

(The Center Square) – A new slate of taxes goes into effect on Wednesday. The changes were passed as part of the 2025-27 biennial budget package, which lawmakers approved in May, and are projected to generate billions in revenue.

‘The budget blackout continues’: WA GOP frustrated by Dems’ tax hike proposals

(The Center Square) – With just 10 days remaining in session, majority party Democrats in the Washington State Legislature have yet to reveal their final budget proposals. Meanwhile, Republicans remain largely powerless to stop an onslaught of tax hikes as part of Democrats’ revenue plan to deal with a projected operating budget shortfall of $16 billion over the next four years.

Bills begin streaming in ahead of WA’s 2026 legislative session

Washington lawmakers are warming up for a sprint.

WA House Finance Committee gives do-pass recommendation to three tax bills

(The Center Square) – With the session winding down, the House Finance Committee on Tuesday advanced three tax bills out of executive session, giving them a do-pass recommendation.

Supreme Court fast tracks Trump tariff case

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — The Supreme Court granted an unusually quick hearing on President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on Tuesday, putting a policy at the center of his economic agenda squarely before the nation's highest court.

U.S. House passes Trump-endorsed budget reconciliation bill

(The Center Square) – Republicans in the U.S. House Thursday morning passed the multi-trillion dollar budget reconciliation bill after more than a day of debate in committee before reaching the full House floor. The vote in the House was razor thin, 215-214, with two Republicans joining all Democrats in voting against it.

House Democrats push 11% firearm, ammo excise tax as $10B to $16B shortfall looms

(The Center Square) – As Washington state grapples with an operating budget shortfall upwards of $16 billion through 2029, House Democrats are proposing a tax on firearms and ammunition to take the total combined rate as high as 33%.

Ferguson proposes $4 billion in cuts to ease budget deficit

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson unveiled a budget-cutting plan to ease a projected $12 billion statewide budget deficit during a 2025 legislative preview in Olympia Jan. 9.

Confluence Health refunding $1.8M following AG investigation

OLYMPIA — After an extensive investigation by the Washington State Attorney General's Office, Confluence Health has agreed to refund over $1.8 million to thousands of patients who were eligible for charity care but did not receive appropriate reimbursements for medical fees. The investigation revealed that Confluence Health, operating two hospitals in Central Washington, failed to refund payments made by patients who qualified for charity care after they had already made out-of-pocket costs.

Legals for December, 16 2025

WA may have to dip into emergency reserves, despite historic tax increases

(The Center Square) – Despite passing the largest tax increase in state history amid record revenue levels, Washington state’s wallet may be empty by the end of the 2025-27 biennium, according to a new report by the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

Awareness helps prevent porch pirates’ success

EPHRATA — At least 58 million packages were stolen in the U.S. last year, with about 25% of Americans being the victims of theft, according to the United States Parcel Service. At the local level, there are thefts occurring regularly as well, but that doesn’t mean that you’re stuck being the victim, authorities say. “The experience of the Grant County Sheriff’s Office is that package theft happens regularly,” said GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. “It is a crime of opportunity. When someone’s out looking to try and make a quick buck, they may drive through a neighborhood looking for unattended packages on the front porch.”

Washington Democrats leak $15 billion tax increase plans

(The Center Square) – Senate Democrats are asking their peers to help “spread that tax policy love around” as they hope to close a $16 billion shortfall with new taxes in a leaked email on Friday.

MLSD settles with Absher Construction on Vanguard project

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District has reached a conclusive settlement agreement with Absher Construction Company, effectively closing out all remaining contractual obligations related to the construction of Vanguard Academy. This resolution was officially accepted by the MLSD Board of Directors during their regular meeting on November 6, 2025.

Samaritan Healthcare projected to finish 2025 with carryover

MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare is expected to spend a lot of money on its new hospital in 2025, enough that its operating income will show a loss for the year, according to the budget approved by Samaritan commissioners late last year. However, there’s projected to be enough non-operating income to cover the loss and leave Samaritan in the black by the end of 2025. The hospital’s 2025 budget projects an operating income loss of about $15.1 million, but a non-operating income gain of about $23.2 million. As a result, Samaritan should end 2025 with a net income gain of about $8.1 million. Spending for the new hospital was projected at about $86.15 million in 2025.

Bill revises rules for police, fire state retirement plan

OLYMPIA — The Washington Legislature has approved revisions to state law that will make it easier for law enforcement officers and firefighters in one tier of the state’s retirement system to use time they spent on authorized leave toward their retirement, regardless of whether they returned to work.

Ferguson signs contentious parents’ bill of rights rewrite into law

(The Center Square) – One of the most hotly debated bills of this year’s legislative session was signed into law on Tuesday by Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson.