Year in Review: 42nd Legislative District, House Position 1

The 2019 legislative session was a tough one on Washington taxpayers. In the final days of the session, and even the last few hours, the legislature passed new and increased taxes in the dark of night costing Washingtonians $5.5 billion over the next four years.

The tax increases were unnecessary, as the state has been receiving record levels of tax revenue from taxpayers. Priority issues at the state level could have been funded with existing revenues, as previous bipartisan budgets have shown.

The state’s operating budget was $44 billion in the last biennium and now exceeds $52.4 billion, approximately a 70 percent increase since 2013.

Washington voters recently shared their disapproval as well, as they voted to repeal almost all the tax increases on the ballot. While they were only advisory ballot measures, it provides important feedback for me and other elected officials.

I was able to get a bill signed into law that helps our small employers. The new law extends the business and occupation (B&O) tax filing deadline for annual filers to April 15. These taxpayers are often self-employed and rely on other businesses to send them their 1099s in a timely manner. The original annual filing deadline was January 31. However, due to federal deadlines, many taxpayers do not receive their 1099s until February or March. This will help an estimated 126,000 Washington taxpayers.

As we head into 2020, I am hopeful that my summer trip to Alaska providing insight on their fish hatchery model will help address the reduction in our salmon population so that we can strengthen the tribal, commercial and recreational fishing industries as well as save our orcas. While we are at a critical juncture, the upcoming session is now the time to look at this feasible option.