Senate Chamber, Sine Die, Thursday, March 12, 2026

Newsletters:

Press Releases:

STATEMENT: New state budget makes Washington less affordable, Senate Republicans say

Sen. Matt Boehnke blasts passage of income tax bill

Sen. Nikki Torres issues statement on budget failing to address Washington’s growing public defense crisis

House approves Sen. Nikki Torres bill establishing crash prevention zones to address dangerous highways

Warnick announces retirement from State Senate following two decades of public service

Legislature unanimously approves supplemental capital budget

Podcasts:

Elephant in the Dome: Budget battles and Washington’s fiscal future: Income tax, deficits, doom loops

Sen. Phil Fortunato: What I think — the $80 billion question: What are Washington taxpayers getting?

Video Shorts:

Sen. Nikki Torres wants veto on income tax

Sen. Mark Schoesler discusses impacts of new income tax legislation

Sen. Drew MacEwen urges veto of income tax bill

Sen. Judy Warnick shares farewell message to constituents

Sen. Perry Dozier on the income tax bill that passed out of the House and Senate

Sen. Matt Boehnke warns income tax is a 'gateway' to taxing everyone in Washington

Social Media: 

Facebook

Sen. Nikki Torres urges you to contact Gov. Bob Ferguson to VETO the income tax (SB 6346)

Puget Sound Energy utility rates may go up 30% due to Democrats' energy policies

What are WA Democrats afraid of?!

The income tax fight is not over!

The supremacy clause highlights how bad the anti-sheriff bill is (SB 5974)

Elephant in the Dome Podcast on WA state taxes

The legislative session is a 5-Alarm dumpster fire

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Legislative Republicans challenge the legality of the income tax

Historic 24-hour debate on the income tax

Sen. Jim McCune slams the supplemental budget (SB 5998)

Budget growth the past 30 years in WA

Instagram

Highest tax rate in America?!

Rain falls as the battle over the income tax rages

Featured Videos:

Republican Leaders condemn income tax and warn of economic fallout in their weekly media avail

Elephant in the Dome: Budget battles and Washington's fiscal future: Income tax, deficits, doom loops

Senate Resolution 8705 Honoring Senator Matt Boehnke

Sen. Phil Fortunato warns HB 1710 will invite lawsuits and burden counties

Sen. Phil Fortunato: What I think — the $80 billion question: What are Washington taxpayers getting?

Senate Republican Leader John Braun, 20th LD, shares a final update on the 2026 legislative session

SR 8702 Honoring Senator Judy Warnick

Beef Day Video

Sen. Mark Schoesler 2026 session week 9 update

Senator Jeff Wilson Resolution recognizing contributions of the Chinook Tribal Nation

Audio:

AUDIO: A longtime Central Washington legislator is leaving the state Senate — but not right away.

AUDIO: House approves Sen. Nikki Torres bill establishing crash prevention zones to address dangerous highways

AUDIO: Live from Olympia: Legislative session wrap‑up with Sen. Short and Rep. Abell

AUDIO: Washington Senate honors Chinook tribes with resolution

AUDIO: KOZI Radio legislative session wrap up with Senator Keith Goehner

Webpages:

State budget proposals

Washington can’t afford it

Affordable solutions for Washington

Income tax: Unpopular, unconstitutional

Bad bills to watch:

SB 6346 Income Tax (Pedersen): Establishes a new state income tax starting at 9.9% on income over $1 million, projected to raise roughly $4 billion per year while returning only a small share in tax reductions. Opponents argue the tax is framed as targeting only high earners but creates a precedent for a broader income tax that could be expanded over time, adds a new revenue stream without significant offsetting relief, and includes provisions that limit voter referendum options. Critics also say the proposal increases long-term tax burdens, risks Washington’s competitive advantage as a no-income-tax state, and directs most new revenue to government spending rather than meaningful tax reform.

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Republican Leader John Braun on the income tax bill, ESSB 6346:

“Even though the income tax wouldn’t be collected until 2029, Democrats worded their bill in a way that prevents the people from using their constitutional power of referendum to approve or reject it. That’s shameful.” 

Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, on the income tax bill, ESSB 6346:

“The people of our state are savvy enough not to be fooled by this ruse…They know that an income tax on anyone is eventually going to be an income tax on everyone in our state.”

Sen. Keith Goehner, R-Dryden, on the income tax bill, ESSB 6346:

“…This is more of a money grab by the state than a sincere effort to make Washington's tax code fairer.”

Testifying in Committee:

Washington has one of the nation’s most open legislatures, with most bills receiving public committee hearings before reaching the full Legislature.

Participate by:

1. Written testimony.

2. Noting your position.

3. Testify remotely or in person.

You can also create a legislative account to speed up sign-up.

Instructions are available here.

Other helpful links: