“Going into this election cycle, we have a five-seat majority. No party has ever gone into an election cycle with a narrow margin like this, and we’re going to need every single seat that we can get,” Whatley told “The Jason Rantz Show” on KTTH.

Specifically, the GOP has its eyes on Washington’s 8^th congressional district.

Can Republicans flip WA-08 back into their corner?

The purple district’s seat was long held by Republican Dave Reichert but has been flipped blue by Democrat Kim Schrier since 2019.

“It’s very realistic to think that we could be able to put that seat in play,” said an optimistic Whatley.

He added, “it’s a little too early to give out any names, but I know that there are some really good potential candidates for this race to take on Kim Schrier, so we’ll obviously be keeping abreast of who says they’re ready to jump in.”

Listen to the full conversation with Michael Whatley below.

Listen to The Jason Rantz Show on weekday afternoons from 3-7 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow Jason on ,�������Ի���.

While highlighting his immigration policy, the president talked about the brutal gang-related attack against a woman in Burian that occurred in January.

“Two Venezuelan members of Tren de Aragua were arrested in Washington State for kidnapping a 58-year-old woman, driving a power drill through her hand to extort her bank account information, shooting her, leaving her for dead,” Trump said during his rally. “Miraculously, she survived, but she’s not feeling so well.”

Trump was referencing a violent attack when, according to King County prosecutors, three suspects pulled the woman into a vehicle and fired a gun as she struggled. They drove her east toward the Cascade Mountains, all while attempting to access her personal and financial information. Investigators said the suspects used a power drill on the woman’s hand.

“They used a power drill to drill into (the victim’s) hand to get access to her cell phone and bank accounts,” the King County Sheriff’s Office wrote in an arrest report, according to . “They then threatened her by telling her they were going to kill her, kill her family, feed her to the bears, and dump her body far away.”

The woman was driven to a remote stretch of Interstate 90 in Kittitas County, where prosecutors say she was shot and left for dead. Thinking the gunshot had been fatal, the attackers fled the scene.

However, the woman survived, waited for the suspects to leave, then flagged down help. She was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and later gave detectives a detailed account of the events.

Tren de Aragua

Two suspects were arrested for torturing, kidnapping, and attempting to kill her. The King County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the FBI, stated that Arnaez-Gutierrez, one of the suspects in custody, has “probable ties to Tren de Aragua.”

Tren de Aragua is a transnational criminal organization from Venezuela, and has become a major target for the Trump Administration. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) claimed it has arrested 2,288 gang members from Tren de Aragua, MS-13, 18th Street, and other gangs.

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SHB 2077 is an EV credit tax bill that slaps new excise taxes on car manufacturers that either sell or bank more than 25,000 zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) credits per year. Translation? If you’re making serious money off selling the idea of going green, the state wants its cut.

Sold credits get taxed at 2%. Banked ones? A juicier 10% based on average value. The idea is to use that cash to help Washingtonians afford EVs and to boost charging infrastructure.

Supporters say it’s about fairness, preventing companies like Tesla and Rivian from making a fortune selling credits to automakers that don’t produce EVs themselves.

“We never intended for this program to be a source of windfall profits for one manufacturer,” Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Seattle), the bill’s prime sponsor, said as by KING 5.

Critics argue Tesla tax could scare off EV investors

Opponents warn it could backfire. Taxing what’s essentially a regulatory tool, they argue, might scare off EV investments and raise prices for consumers.

However, according to KING 5, the bill will only affect Tesla—for now.

���� projects the bill could bring in $78 million over the next two years and a whopping $400 million over the following four.

Contributing: Matt Markovich, ����Xվ Newsradio; Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

According to , AmeriCorps covers volunteers’ basic expenses, including housing, meals, and a “limited health benefit,” as well as a “modest” living allowance. The program also provides members who complete their 1,700-hour service term with funding for future education expenses or to apply to certain student loans. That benefit was valued at about $7,300 this service year.

AmeriCorps placed most staff members on administrative leave with pay this month, effective immediately, according to a staff member and an internal memo shared with The AP.

The media outlet reported that about 15% of the agency’s staff remained active, according to an AmeriCorps staff member who provided internal communications to The AP on condition of anonymity because the staff member was not authorized to do so. AmeriCorps employs more than 500 full-time federal workers and has an operating budget of roughly $1 billion.

“AmeriCorps provides hope and belonging in American communities nationwide,” Brown said. “It gives inspiration and purpose to the young people who join its ranks annually. But the president thinks public programs and public dollars are his to do with what he will, snatching them up through the same scheming that federal courts have already said is likely illegal.”

White House terminates AmeriCorps grant programs

According to a from Brown’s office, on April 25, the federal government notified Washington that it had terminated its AmeriCorps grant programs, which support volunteer and service efforts.

“In the complaint, Attorney General Brown and the multistate coalition argue that by abruptly canceling critical grants and gutting AmeriCorps’ workforce,” the release said. “The Trump Administration is effectively shuttering the national volunteer agency and ending the states’ abilities to support AmeriCorps programs.”

The release goes on to state, “the Trump Administration acted illegally in its gutting of AmeriCorps, violating both the Administrative Procedures Act and the separation of powers under the U.S. Constitution.”

Washington is joining the lawsuit alongside more than 20 attorneys general, including Maryland, Delaware, California, Colorado, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, as well as Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

The executive order states his administration has 30 days to publish a list of sanctuary states and cities throughout the U.S. Washington is a sanctuary state, with Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Bellingham, and Spokane all operating as sanctuary cities.

While there is no exact definition for a sanctuary city or state, the blanket term is applied to jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, according to the , including failing to provide information regarding immigration status.

“You can sit aside and watch. You can argue against us all you want. Protest all you want,” Tom Homan, acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said. “But when you cross that line, and I’ve said this a thousand times, when you cross that line to impediment or knowingly harboring and concealing an illegal alien, you will be prosecuted.”

In addition to Washington, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont are considered sanctuary states. Although not a state, the District of Columbia is also considered a sanctuary jurisdiction.

What happens once the list of sanctuary states is completed?

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said sanctuary cities are taking actions that interfere with federal immigration enforcement.

The executive order states that, once a list of “verified” sanctuary states and cities is turned in, the Trump Administration will notify those jurisdictions that they need to cooperate with the president’s immigration policy. If they don’t comply, the federal government would explore options to sue the state or city, alongside cutting off federal funding.

Governor Bob Ferguson responded by claiming he’s not going to allow the federal government to cut any funding—especially money intended for Medicaid, education, and services for children.

“We’ll stand up for your rights,” Ferguson said. “We’ll protect your freedom. That’s central to who we are, and we’ll continue doing that.”

Approximately 28% of Washington’s budget comes from federal funding.

Trump’s actions impacted legislative session

This potential retaliation has been on Ferguson’s mind since he was elected governor.

Last week, Governor Bob Ferguson signed a bill that blocks out-of-state military forces from entering Washington without the governor’s approval. For example, National Guard troops could not enter Washington unless Ferguson signed off on it.

“We welcome collaboration with National Guard forces when warranted, but only with our permission,” Ferguson said. “We cannot have armed forces come into our state to enforce policies that are against our core values.”

The president can still override this decision, further complicating the process.

Contributing: Luke Duecy, ����Xվ Newsradio

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“This is a hostile and political act by Amazon,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters this week. “Why didn’t Amazon do this when the Biden administration hiked inflation to the highest level in 40 years?”

Amazon’s plan, according to a report from , would have displayed the amount of money added as a result of the tariffs displayed right next to each product’s total listed price. But a spokesperson for the company claimed Amazon never considered this strategy.

“The team that runs our ultra-low-cost Amazon Haul store has considered the idea of listing import charges on certain products,” the spokesperson told . “Teams discuss ideas all the time. This was never a consideration for the main Amazon site and nothing has been implemented on any Amazon properties.”

Trump currently has 145% tariffs implemented on Chinese imports. Approximately 60% of Amazon’s sales come from smaller, independent retailers who are heavily reliant on imports from countries including China.

“This is another reason why Americans should buy American,” Leavitt said. “It’s another reason why we are onshoring critical supply chains here at home to shore up our own critical supply chain, and boost our own manufacturing here.”

White House is not pleased with Amazon — to say the least.

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz)

Trump relieving tariffs for certain industries

President Donald Trump is expected to travel to Michigan Tuesday to relieve U.S. automakers from escalating tariffs. While the 25% tariff on finished foreign-made cars and parts will stay in place, Trump is expected to prevent tariffs from stacking on top of other tariffs, like steel and aluminum.

Reporters at a White House press conference asked whether or not Amazon’s decision to display tariff costs would impact Trump’s relationship with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

“I will not speak to the president’s relationships with Jeff Bezos,” Leavitt said after a reporter asked if Bezos is still a supporter of Trump during a press conference.

Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, were seen having a late-night dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last December. That dinner came shortly after Bezos finalized his move out of Washington to Indian Creek Village—an exclusive area in Miami, Fla. also known as “Billionaire Bunker,” famous for its celebrity residents including Tom Brady, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner.

MyNorthwest and ����Xվ Newsradio have reached out to Amazon for comment.

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Here’s a couple of figures in mind as you read this.

According to the , every 0.5% change in Amazon’s stock price results in roughly a $1 billion swing for its founder, Jeff Bezos. Bezos ranks second behind Elon Musk on Forbes’ wealthiest list, with a net worth of $204.6 billion compared to Musk’s $388.6 billion.

As I’m writing this, Amazon stock dropped 0.57% for the day, wiping about $1.2 billion off Bezos’s fortune. Did he notice? Probably not. But the state of Washington might have — and you could almost hear the collective groan.

Washington Democrats increased capital gains tax

Over the weekend, state lawmakers approved the Democrat-led , which raises the state’s capital gains tax on large investment sales — like stocks and bonds — from 7% to 9.9%. It’s part of a larger tax package to fill in what the Office of Financial Management says a $16 billion deficit for the operating budget over the next four years.

When the original tax was passed in 2021, critics warned it would drive tech billionaires and millionaires to friendlier states like Florida, where there’s no capital gains or estate tax. According to , which tracks corporate insider stock sales, Bezos stopped selling shares in 2021. Coincidence? Maybe not.

Washington’s capital gains tax started at 7% on gains over $262,000 from stock and bond sales. Pending Governor Bob Ferguson’s approval, the new plan hikes that tax to 9.9% on gains exceeding $1 million.

Jeff Bezos ditched Washington for Florida

At the end of 2023, Bezos announced he was packing up and leaving Seattle for Florida where there are no similar capital gains and estate taxes.

In an Instagram post, Bezos said he wanted to be closer to his parents and his Blue Origin rocket operations. He did not mention taxes – or tax avoidance.

In June 2023, Bloomberg reported that Bezos bought a $79 million mansion in the ultra-exclusive Indian Creek neighborhood near Miami. When exactly he declared Florida his official residence isn’t crystal clear, but if he managed to switch it before 2024, here’s how the math works out:  show Bezos sold 78,541,922 shares of Amazon stock in 2024 — likely his first full year as a Florida resident — at prices bouncing around $200 a share. That would amount to a gain of about $15.7 billion.

If he had still lived in Seattle? Here’s the pain:

• At the old 7% rate, after exempting the first $262,000, he would’ve owed Washington about $1.1 billion in taxes.
• Under the new 9.9% rate, his tax bill would’ve jumped to $1.55 billion.

Let’s put that in perspective:

• That’s more than the entire annual budget of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
• It’s more than the $1.3 billion the state hoped to save by furloughing every state worker for 13 days — a cost-cutting idea that Governor Ferguson floated and then ditched.
• It’s 17% of the controversial $9 billion in new taxes the legislature approved to patch the much-discussed budget deficit.
• It’s about 70% of all the money collected statewide in 2024 under the Climate Commitment Act — a law many blame for the extra 40 to 50 cents per gallon tacked onto gas prices.

Bezos saved big in move to Florida

Bottom line: One man saved a mind-blowing amount of money, and one state lost it — exactly the kind of “wealth flight” supporters of the capital gains tax said wouldn’t happen.

Meanwhile, a proposed wealth tax — aimed at roughly 4,300 people with assets over $50 million — fizzled just days before the session ended. Governor Ferguson, who used to be Attorney General, warned it would be legally risky and said he would reject it.

Speaking at a press conference, Democratic leaders of the House and Senate vowed to bring the proposal back for another shot next year.

But lurking in the tax package awaiting the Governor’s approval is a pair of taxes that critics say can have the same effect on the state as the capital gains tax. It includes a big increase in the Business and Occupation (B&O) tax and a new sales tax on services in the high-tech sector.

Combined the taxes make up more than half of the proposed $9 billion tax plan to balance the budget.

Once again, critics are warning: tax the tech golden goose too hard… and you might just watch it fly south, the same way Jeff Bezos did.

“My issue is we have to have a message. We have to rebuild our coalition and rebuild our brand,” Smith said on CNN Monday. “We have to clearly attack President Trump for the wannabe dictator he is, for challenging the fundamental basis of our democracy. And if people don’t agree with us on that, we have to make the case.”

Adam Smith’s past comments on what the Democratic Party needs to do

Since Donald Trump won the 2024 general election over Kamala Harris, Smith has been vocal that the Democratic Party is heading in the wrong direction.

“The Democratic Party brand is broken, and we desperately need to fix it if the party is ever going to have any hope of appealing to a majority of people in this country,” U.S. House representative Adam Smith said on X. “Economic policy and messaging is the worst part of that, but certainly not the only part.”

Two national polls published last month found a troubling trend for Democrats. Approval rating for the Democratic Party hit record lows following the 2024 presidential race. And Rep. Adam Smith claimed he knows why: the far left.

“The extreme left is leading us into a ditch,” Smith said. He doubled down in a , blaming the Democratic Party’s struggles on the “new left” and how it led to policies that “have utterly and completely failed.” He even singled out King County for prioritizing funding for left-leaning programs.

In-fighting over party’s direction

Smith’s comments upset his Seattle colleague Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).

“I was not happy about the way he’s characterizing my district,” Jayapal said, according to . “The thing that has been irritating to me is I feel like he’s gotten a lot of coverage – that view has gotten a lot of coverage.”

������ found that 27% of registered voters viewed the party favorably, while CNN’s poll provided slightly better results: 29%, the lowest mark in CNN’s polling since it began in 1992.

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In a statement dropped right after the session closed, Ferguson made it clear he’s not rushing into anything.

“I look forward to carefully reviewing the budgets line by line,” he said, promising a full public breakdown once he’s finished combing through it.

Ferguson has line-item veto power, meaning he can slice and dice the budget if he wants. It features roughly $7 million in cuts and $9 million in new taxes.

In an interview with TVW, Ferguson said he was “optimistic” about avoiding a special session. At 1,366 pages, the governor and his Office of Financial Management have a lot of homework to get through.

Ferguson’s early budget demands

From beginning of his administration, Ferguson hammered home some pretty specific demands: Save billions, stick to real revenue numbers (not the typical automatic 4.5% tax revenue increase every year), boost affordable housing, pour more money into K-12 education, and throw millions of dollars to cities and counties for local law enforcement. By his own account, the legislature mostly listened.

“The budgets adopted by the legislature accomplish those goals,” Ferguson said, sounding cautiously optimistic.

He’s especially eyeballing any new revenue schemes tucked into the budget, warning, “I intend to carefully review all revenue increases.”

In the final hours of the 105-day session, the operating budget came down to a straight party-line vote in the Senate, with all Democrats in support and all Republicans voting against it. A slightly different story in the House, where six Democrats defected and joined all Republicans in voting no.

During a press conference held by House and Senate Democratic leaders, several expressed optimism about the governor’s acceptance of their budget and tax package.

“Our conversations have been very positive in the last week. And I think if you watched his statements over time, you can see that he had a significant influence over the budget as it ultimately passed both chambers,” Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) said. “As a lawyer, I would expect him to want to look through the bills carefully.”

Republicans repeatedly said their budget proposal would have spent $2 billion less, raised no taxes, and cut no services.

Ferguson vies to protect WA from Trump Administration retaliation

One major theme Ferguson kept hammering in his statement: protecting the state’s financial future from what he called the “assault” of Donald Trump’s administration.

Federal dollars make up about 28% of Washington’s budget, and Ferguson isn’t shy about saying he expects hardball tactics from D.C.

“I am not going to allow the state that I love to be at the financial mercy of Donald Trump and Elon Musk,” he said.

He’s also proud that the legislature embraced $4 billion in savings identified by his team—a feat he was quick to point out happened just 43 days after he took office.

Ferguson promised during his campaign to boost K-12 funding, and he said the final budget delivers. It even improves funding for special education and helps school districts tackle emergencies.

On the legislative front, Ferguson was clearly in a “scoreboard” mood, ticking off some bipartisan wins he helped push across the finish line. Among them: new fuel exemptions for farmers, better mental health support for kids, and a law keeping out-of-state National Guard units from just showing up uninvited.

One bill Ferguson sounded especially hyped about, House Bill 2015, sets aside $100 million in grants to help local law enforcement beef up their ranks.

“We rank 50th—dead last—per capita in the number of law enforcement officers,” he said. “That’s unacceptable.”

New spending for local law enforcement isn’t something the legislature typically does. The move stands out even more in a year with a huge budget deficit—a clear sign of some political give-and-take with Democratic leaders.

Housing also got a major boost, with the biggest investment ever into the Housing Trust Fund, plus reforms to speed up building permits and help folks in manufactured homes become actual homeowners.

The transportation budget struck a cautious but necessary tone. Ferguson praised lawmakers for showing “restraint” by delaying some projects while keeping critical ones, like the I-5 bridge replacement and the Spokane North-South Freeway, on track.

By law, the state’s budget has to balance over four years, not just two. Ferguson demanded lawmakers use actual economic forecasts, not the old automatic 4.5% revenue growth figures agencies loved. At first glance, it looks like the budget relies on more realistic projections and factors in state “reversions”—leftover cash from unspent budgets—to help plug gaps.

If the math holds up, Washington could have about $3.6 billion socked away in reserves by 2029.

In closing, Ferguson took a somber moment to reflect on the difficult losses this session endured, including the deaths of Sen. Bill Ramos, Autumn Gildon (wife of a prominent state senator), and former Speaker Frank Chopp.

“This has been a hard session for many reasons,” he said. “I am grateful for the hard work and sacrifice of all who contributed.”

Now, the ball’s in Ferguson’s court. He’s got less than three weeks to either bless this budget, bounce it back with his veto pen, or do nothing—in which case it becomes law 30 days from now.

Or call a special session to write the operating budget and the taxes that support it.

Matt Markovich is the ����Xվ Newsradio political analyst. Follow him on . Read more of his stories here.

, the product of a late-session compromise between House and Senate Democrats, will cap rent hikes at 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower. The bill also bars landlords from raising rents during the first 12 months of a new tenancy. Single-family homes are not exempt from the cap.

The Senate approved the final version on a 27-20 vote, with two Democrats joining Republicans in opposition. The House followed with a 54-44 vote, where five Democrats broke ranks. No Republicans voted in favor.

“This is one of the most productive sessions on housing affordability our state has seen,” Sen. Jessica Batman, D-Olympia, said in a statement. “It’s the result of strong coalition-building in and outside the Legislature, bipartisan collaboration with our Republican colleagues and sustained, long-term engagement with the community and our constituents who are so deeply affected by these issues. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far this year and know that we have more work ahead.”

Washington rent cap developed over weeks of negotiations

The bill’s final version reflects weeks of negotiations.

Originally, HB 1217 capped rent increases at 7% annually. A Senate amendment raised the limit to 10% plus inflation, but after concerns from House Democrats, a conference committee struck a compromise late Thursday.

The legislation also establishes a 5% cap on rent increases for manufactured and mobile homes, with no expiration date. For most other residential properties, the rent cap is set to expire after 15 years unless renewed.

Beginning June 1, 2025, the state Department of Commerce will be required to publish the allowable maximum rent increase annually, based on the Seattle-area Consumer Price Index. Landlords must also provide tenants with 90 days’ notice before raising rent.

New construction is exempt from the cap for up to 12 years, as are properties owned by public housing authorities and certain nonprofit organizations. Some small, owner-occupied properties, such as duplexes or homes with accessory dwelling units, are also exempt.

Will Governor Ferguson sign the rent cap bill?

Republicans blasted the measure, arguing it addresses symptoms rather than causes.

“Without supply, rents go high,” Rep. Sam Low, R-Lake Stevens, said during floor debate. He urged colleagues to focus instead on removing regulations that he said drive up the cost and difficulty of building new housing.

The bill now heads to Gov. Bob Ferguson, who has not publicly stated whether he will sign it.

Despite a new governor taking office earlier this year, residents’ views on the direction of the state show little change. Forty percent said Washington is on the right track, nearly identical to past surveys between April 2023 and today, while 45% said the state is on the wrong track — also virtually unchanged. This persistent malaise comes as concerns about the economy deepen. Fifty-six percent said Washington’s economic conditions are getting worse, a sharp increase from 35% just three months ago.

One of the most surprising findings: Republican support for Governor Bob Ferguson has risen dramatically.

Republicans starting to like Governor Bob Ferguson

Positive impressions of Ferguson among Republicans jumped from 15% in January to 35% in April,��according to . Meanwhile, his support among Democrats fell from 65% to 47% during the same period. Ferguson’s standing among independents also declined, dropping from 41% to 31%.

The unusual bump in Republican approval comes even as Ferguson’s overall favorability slipped. Among all voters, Ferguson’s positive ratings now sit at 38%, down from 42% in January and a high of 56% last November.

The poll, conducted online April 16-20 among 500 Washington residents, was weighted to reflect the state’s demographics by age, gender, region, political affiliation, education, and income. It was completed before Democrats passed a budget that would raise taxes by $9 billion. Ferguson previously rejected Democratic tax plans, angering Democrats but earning praise from Republicans.

King County residents made up 29% of respondents, with the remainder spread across Puget Sound, Western Washington, and Eastern Washington. Politically, 40% identified as Democrats, 29% as Republicans, and 23% as independents.

Ferguson’s future, and bright spots for Republicans

Ferguson’s uptick among Republicans could reflect a perception that he is governing more moderately than expected. However, growing dissatisfaction among Democrats could spell trouble for the governor.

The survey also revealed some good news for the Republican Party more broadly. When asked which party they trusted more to handle key issues, voters preferred Republicans on crime (44% to 37%), taxes (42% to 42%), and government spending (42% to 38%).

Democrats retained a large advantage on healthcare, education, housing, and climate change.

Nonetheless, the overall mood remains grim. Only 12% of respondents said the state’s economy is getting better, while a majority said it is deteriorating. Ratings of personal financial situations also darkened. Nineteen percent said their own finances were improving, down from 23% in January, while 33% said their finances were getting worse.

House Democrats, who spearheaded the budget plan, say it protects essential services while boosting K-12 education. The plan allocates $750 million for special education, $213 million for school materials and operations, and $200 million to support students in low-income districts through local effort assistance.

Despite facing a growing deficit, the final package calls for $8.7 billion in taxes without tapping into the state’s “Rainy Day” fund or implementing furloughs. To address future shortfalls, lawmakers plan $3.1 billion in cuts during the 2025-27 biennium, totaling $7 billion over four years.

Reacting to the $77.8 billion budget

Gov. Bob Ferguson signaled support for the proposal, noting it relies less on new tax increases compared to earlier drafts. But Republicans are slamming the budget as regressive.

“Democrats openly admit that many of their new taxes are regressive, hitting low-income families the hardest,” Sen. Nikki Torres (R-Pasco) explained in a statement. “So, who’s really wearing the villain cape here? It certainly isn’t the hardworking Washingtonians now staring down higher costs for food, health care, energy, and fewer choices. The people of Washington deserve better than what they received today. We will continue to fight for policies that lift burdens, strengthen families, and honor the trust the taxpayers have placed in us.”

Republicans criticize the bill for a number of cuts and tax hikes, including $100 new fee on marriage licenses, 38% increase in hunting and fishing licenses, 50% increase in accessing state parks, 50% increase in liquor license fees, and sales tax increases on certain services.

But House Appropriations Chair Timm Ormsby (D-Spokane) said the budget reflects a balanced approach, avoiding major service cuts while addressing urgent education needs. Senate Ways & Means Chair June Robinson (D-Everett) called the budget a product of “hard, often painful choices” made to protect vulnerable communities.

The budget now awaits Ferguson’s signature.

Late Friday, the Senate passed , a sweeping transportation revenue package anchored by a 6-cent gas tax hike, by a bipartisan 31-17 vote. The House approved the plan a day earlier. Gov. Bob Ferguson is expected to review the package soon, but it’s highly likely it is signed when it hits his desk. The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn Sunday and it’s expected to give the final legislative approval before then/

Starting July 1, the gas tax will rise from 49.4 cents to 55.4 cents per gallon. Diesel fuel taxes will also increase by 3 cents this year and another 3 cents in 2027. After mid-2026, both gas and diesel taxes will grow by 2% annually to keep pace with inflation.

Washington drivers pay the third highest average gas prices in the nation at $4.28, according to the AAA, just behind California and Alaska. The national gas price average is $3.15.

It’s not just the gas tax but other fees going up in Washington

The tax hikes, combined with other new fees, are expected to generate $3.2 billion over the next six years to bolster the state’s struggling transportation budget. Lawmakers said the additional funding is critical to addressing runaway construction costs and fulfilling longstanding infrastructure promises.

“We’re asking Washingtonians to pay some more to fund our transportation system, but we’re spending it on keeping our promises, on preserving and maintaining highways, and on safety,” Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds) said during debate, according to the .

Besides the gas and diesel tax hikes, SB 5801 raises a range of fees. Vehicle weight fees will increase by $10 to $24 annually starting in January, depending on the size of the vehicle. The state’s special sales tax on motor vehicles will jump from 0.3% to 0.5%. A new 8% luxury tax will hit vehicles sold for over $100,000, and a 10% tax will apply to aircraft valued above $500,000.

Rental car taxes will temporarily more than double, from 5.9% to 11.9% in 2026, before settling at 9.9% in 2027. Tire replacement fees will also rise from $1 to $5 per tire.

Lawmakers admit gas tax hike is a tough sell

Lawmakers from both parties acknowledged the package is a tough sell. Washingtonians already pay some of the highest gas prices in the country — averaging $4.29 per gallon including taxes, according to AAA — and the new increases could push the state to the third-highest gas tax nationwide, behind only California and Pennsylvania.

“Raising fees and taxes is not something we take lightly, but we determined it was the only solution to address our state’s transportation challenges,” said Sen. Curtis King (R-Yakima) in a joint statement with Liias, according to .

Republicans were divided over the plan. While some backed it in the Senate, no Republicans supported it in the House, where they warned that working families are being crushed under the weight of constant new taxes.

Democrats defended the move, arguing that without new revenue, Washington faced a transportation budget shortfall of up to $8 billion over six years, imperiling ferry service, pothole repairs, and critical bridge replacements.

One of the most contentious moments of the town hall was Gluesenkamp Perez’ defense for voting in favor of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require voters to provide documentation, such as a U.S. passport or government-issued ID with a certified birth certificate, when registering to vote in federal elections. Gluesenkamp Perez was one of four Democrats to vote in favor of the SAVE Act, alongside all House Republicans.

“I do not support noncitizens voting in American elections—and that’s common sense to folks in Southwest Washington,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a . “Voting in our nation’s elections is a sacred right belonging only to American citizens, and my vote for the SAVE Act reflects that principle.”

Gluesenkamp Perez even offered up her own legislation, dubbed the “Let America Vote Act,” which would allegedly improve election integrity without creating additional bureaucratic hurdles. Despite Gluesenkamp Perez voting for the SAVE Act, she claimed it’s a bill that won’t pass in the Senate.

“I also understand the SAVE Act stands no chance of passage in the Senate due to the filibuster, as well as several deeply flawed provisions,” she added.

But opponents to the bill argued that this would disenfranchise legal citizens who lack access to the required documentation needed to vote, lowering voter turnout to an even more significant degree.

“My last name is not the same as what’s on my birth certificate,” Lynn Busby told . “I know a lot of people who don’t know where their birth certificate is. It’s just another way for her to suppress the vote. And I feel like it’s because of her donors.”

Many attending the town hall meeting crafted signs, some read “How Dare You,” “The SHAME Act,” and “We the people demand you do better,” while others chanted, “Vote her out.”

“I just think that Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is not turning out to be the person I thought I was fighting for,” a town hall attendant, Cheryl Pauling, said.

“She says she is a Democrat, but as a Democrat, she doesn’t represent me,” Destiny Dodge, who also attended the event, added.

If the SAVE Act becomes law

The bill, if passed, would require people to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote. States would also be required to remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill even adds criminal penalties to violations of this act, and includes the ability for people to sue an election official if they register a person to vote who fails to present proof of U.S. citizenship.

Supporters of the bill argue that this creates more safeguards to America’s election system.

“The U.S. has not adequately enforced federal election requirements that, for example, prohibit states from counting ballots received after Election Day or prohibit noncitizens from registering to vote,” the White House stated.

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Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal and Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, argued over

The bill would have allowed the current 1% cap on property taxes to be lifted as high as 3%. However, according to the , Rep. Steve Bergquist, D-Renton, the bill’s sponsor, added an amendment removing the bill’s sections on the growth limit.

The Center Square reported Reykdal testified in favor of the bill during a public hearing before the

“This undoes a wrong from seven years ago, where, without a requirement from the court, a billion dollars was cut from local schools,” he said.

According to the Center Square, the “wrong” Reykdal was referring to stemmed from the 2012 McCleary decision. The Washington State Supreme Court found the state was not adequately funding K-12 education and ordered the legislature to do so. In 2018, the “McCleary Solution” reduced local levy authority.

Property tax bill sparks heated legislative debate

Tension rose between Reykdal and Braun after Reykdal said 90% of local levies pass.

“Despite the rhetoric out there, people overwhelmingly support their local schools,” he said.

But, in reference to Tuesday’s special election, Braun said there were three districts in his area where levies were not passing.

“Whether it’s a lack of trust or a high tax amount, whatever the reason is, it seems highly likely that we’re going to have more levy failures, which means you have nothing … how do you deal with that?”

The Center Square reported that Reykdal’s response was that it’s typically bonds that fail, while levies pass.

“You could get in your local paper and say, ‘Please pass levies in my community,’” Reykdal said.
“I have done that, but frankly, superintendent, there’s a lack of trust, and you’re saying nothing here that’s restoring that trust,” Braun said.

At that point, the Center Square reports Braun said he had no more questions.

EHSB 2049 is on the Senate Ways & Means Committee agenda on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

The Republican leadership warned that a flood of new taxes—many introduced or drastically altered in the eleventh hour by democrats, the majority party —could crush Washington’s economy, drive up the cost of essentials like housing and health care, and chase out the very businesses that keep the state running.

Democrats have not responded to the Republican accusations as of Wednesday afternoon.

“If there’s a worse way to do tax policy, I don’t know what it is,” House Minority Leader Rep. Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn) said. “Taxes are being changed on the fly. Bills with brand-new amendments are dropping just hours before votes, with no fiscal notes, no analysis, and no time for public input.”

Budget bombshells at the buzzer

At the heart of the Republicans’ frustration is the state’s operating budget, which, as of their press conference, remained largely a mystery. Lawmakers complained that even rank-and-file Democrats hadn’t seen the final numbers.

“We’ve been asked to raise taxes without knowing if they’re necessary,” House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Chris Corry (R-Yakima) said.

They pointed to reports of a striking amendment regarding a tax on nicotine being dropped hours before a House committee meeting, completely overhauling a Senate-passed bill with almost no time for review.

In another instance, a Business and Occupation (B&O) tax bill made it to the House floor without a fiscal note—a basic document that outlines how much money the bill would generate and who it would affect.

“We have no idea who’s being taxed, how much is being raised, or what the impact is,” Stokesbary said. “And yet we’re voting on these bills anyway.”

‘Progressive’ in name, regressive in impact?

Despite early session promises by Democrats to make Washington’s tax system less regressive, Republicans say the opposite is happening. They rattled off a laundry list of tax hikes that they argue will disproportionately hit low- and middle-income residents, including increased Discover Pass fees, higher hunting and fishing license costs, and a new tax on storage units, to name a few.

“Transportation revenues that rely on gas tax increases, vehicle registration fees, tire tax increases, sales tax increases, driver’s license fees, these are all regressive taxes,” Corry said.

Democratic leaders of the House and Senate met with Washington Governor Bob Ferguson on Tuesday for a scheduled one-hour meeting. During a bill signing session after the meeting, the Governor was asked to comment on it. He refused to do so.

MyNorthwest reached out to House Majority Leader Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Seattle) via a text for a comment about the meeting, but has not received a response.

Behind the curtain: Budget games and political theater

Behind the scenes, Republicans said the real scandal is procedural. Democrats hold the majority in both chambers, and GOP leaders said they’ve used that power to block amendments, keep schedules tight, and ram through changes without giving the public or even fellow lawmakers a chance to weigh in.

“Right now, Democrats have given Republicans a couple of hours to come up with suggestions to amend their tax bills and haven’t allowed Republicans to see what other changes Democrats are going to include. It is an impossible situation,” Stokesbary said.

They also raised alarms about the possible return of the McCleary lawsuit, a legal battle that previously forced the state to overhaul school funding. The proposal would expand local school levies and potentially violate constitutional requirements reaffirmed by the Washington State Supreme Court in that’s been called the McCleary decision.

“In fact, there’s already rumors out there that there’s a handful of schools who have already retained an attorney to initiate that type of a suit,” Senate Minority Leader John Braun (R-Chehalis) said.

Governor’s move: ‘A $12 billion test’

The final wildcard is Ferguson. He’s publicly voiced discomfort with the scale of the all the taxes being proposed—rumored to be somewhere between $10 and $12 billion—but hasn’t said whether he’ll veto it if it lands on his desk.

“I sure hope that he’s willing to stand firm and follow through on the promises he’s made as governor to govern responsibly and in the best interest of all of Washington, and not just the far left progressive base,” Stokesbary said.

And with rumors swirling about a possible special session, Sen. Braun gives a “50-50” possibility of that happening.

On Saturday, Ferguson indicated he would not be opposed to spending a few extra days on matters he deemed appropriate.

Matt Markovich is the ����Xվ Newsradio political analyst. Follow him on . Read more of his stories here.

“Republicans fought hard to not let it pass, but heartless House Democrats passed it anyway,” Anthony Mixer, the Chair of expansion and government affairs for the Washington State Young Republicans.

JUST NOW:

House Appropriations Republicans have WALKED OUT of further proceedings of the Appropriations Committee after it passed SB 5393 (closing the Rainier School).

Republicans fought hard to not let it pass, but heartless House Democrats passed it anyway.

— Anthony Mixer (@AnthonyMixerWA)

The Republican representatives left with five bills remaining to discuss. They were subsequently marked absent for them. A video of the committee meeting can be seen .

“We didn’t come into this meeting planning to walk out, but there comes a moment when you must draw the line,” Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, the ranking Republican on the committee, said. “This bill is one of the most disgusting, cold-hearted proposals I’ve seen in my time in office. It puts lives on the line, plain and simple.”

The legislation intends to relocate the students to community alternatives, but, according to the House Republicans at the committee meeting, the facilities do not have the capacity and often do not provide the level of care needed.

“There are countless ways to find savings in the budget. This is not it,” Couture said. “Washington doesn’t balance its books on the backs of its most vulnerable. Not on our watch. If this bill hits the floor, we’ll fight it with everything we’ve got.”

Previous attempts to stop legislation that would shut down Rainier and Yakima Valley schools

Couture previously pleaded with the House Appropriations Committee earlier this month to bring down the bill, claiming it would harm “vulnerable people.”

“My heart sits in my stomach right now because I know what the outcome of this is going to be,” Couture said, fighting back tears. “I’ve lived personally and professionally in this space, legislatively as well. People will die as a result of this bill. It’s not just a fact, it’s also a prediction.”

Couture claimed that Georgia shut down its facilities for developmentally disabled people, and hundreds of people died afterwards.

“Not people like you and me, Mr. Chair, people who can’t speak for themselves,” Couture said. “I will do anything to stop this bill. I will work with every single member of this committee.”

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

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“My proposal is a six-year, $1.3 billion renewal of the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise levy (FEPP), and every one of our kids and every one of our families are worth every penny of that,” Harrell said.

The mayor’s proposal includes what he calls transformative new investments to expand access to affordable childcare and early learning opportunities through the nationally recognized Seattle Preschool program. The program implements student safety and mental health resources in K-12 schools, along with providing graduates pathways to careers with free tuition at Seattle colleges and job training opportunities.

“We are a nation in crisis. Make no mistake about that. But what we’re doing here in Seattle with this levy is life-changing. It has to be,” Harrell said.

Background on Seattle’s education levy

Under the levy, the city’s Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) partners with families and communities to achieve educational equity, close opportunity gaps, and build a better future for Seattle students.

In describing the importance of the levy, Harrell quoted Civil Rights leader Malcolm X.

“Education is the passport to the future for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today,” Harrell said.

Seattle residents overwhelmingly voted for the levy in 2018. It’s expected to be on the November ballot for Seattle voters.

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According to from Senate Republicans on Tuesday, would authorize the Department of Corrections to transfer people in custody with federal immigration detainers to ICE. Fortunato said the bill would reverse what he calls misguided policies that force Washington taxpayers to fund the incarceration of undocumented immigrants.

The release explained that the decision was previously blocked by state law, with Fortunato calling Washington a harbor for criminals.

“Washington has become a sanctuary for felons,” Fortunato stated via the release. “We’re not talking about law-abiding immigrants. These are individuals who are in the country illegally and have committed serious crimes. There is no reason taxpayers should continue footing the bill.”

ICE: Over 300 people in facilities undocumented

Senate Republicans stated that, according to ICE, more than 300 people incarcerated in state facilities are undocumented, and the majority are charged with sex offenses or murder. The annual average cost of an inmate is approximately $75,000 per year.

According to the release, Washington is spending more than $23 million each year to hold individuals who could be turned over to ICE.

The bill, officially dubbed , passed the House for a second time on Tuesday after no changes were made to amendments added by the Senate. All 29 Democrats voted in favor and all 19 Republicans voted against. It previously cleared the House by a similar partisan split. Ferguson, a Democrat and longtime supporter of stricter gun laws, is expected to sign it into law.

So what does this bill actually do?

In short: if you want to buy a gun in Washington, you’ll need a state-issued permit first—and that’s going to require a lot more than filling out a background check form at your local sporting goods store.

To get a permit under the new law, applicants will have to submit fingerprints, pass a detailed background check, and here’s the kicker, complete a state-certified firearms safety course that now includes live-fire training.

That means every applicant must physically go to a range, handle a gun, and demonstrate basic shooting proficiency. It’s not a symbolic formality either: the concealed carry training specifically requires applicants to fire a minimum of 50 rounds as part of their instruction.

Supporters of the bill say this is exactly the kind of responsible regulation needed to reduce gun violence and prevent untrained individuals from owning deadly weapons.

“You can’t legally drive a car without taking a driving test. Why should someone be able to buy a deadly weapon without proving they can handle it safely?” said Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond), during a committee hearing on the bill.

The bill also adds new requirements for firearm dealers, who will be prohibited from completing any sale unless the buyer has a valid permit. All firearm transfers—including rifles and shotguns—must now be logged and reported, expanding rules that previously only applied to handguns and semi-automatic rifles.

Washington’s Department of Licensing will retain those transfer records, and the state’s background check program will conduct annual eligibility checks to revoke permits if a holder becomes legally disqualified.

Concealed pistol license requirements

And there’s more: the law also tightens rules for getting a concealed pistol license (CPL), adding its own live-fire training requirement. However, if a person already holds a valid purchase permit, they’ll be exempt from another background check when applying for a CPL.

Exemptions are carved out for law enforcement, military personnel, armed security guards, and private investigators—but they’ll have to show proper ID.

Republican lawmakers blasted the bill as a “backdoor gun registry” and an overreach that punishes law-abiding citizens instead of targeting criminals.

“This bill does absolutely nothing to stop criminals from getting guns,” said Sen. Jeff Holy (R-Cheney). “What it does do is create an expensive and bureaucratic system that blocks average citizens from exercising their rights.”

Matt Markovich is the ����Xվ Newsradio political analyst. Follow him on . Read more of his stories here.