Republican budget leader notes progressive property-tax reform now within reach OLYMPIA… The Senate Democratic 2021-23 operating-budget proposal is expected to become public Thursday, and Sen. Lynda Wilson says she’ll be looking for it to be at least as taxpayer-friendly as the budget Senate Republicans proposed Feb. 11. “I’m anticipating the...

OLYMPIA… The first state-revenue forecast for 2021 indicates a surprisingly large increase of $3.3 billion for the current two-year budget cycle and $5.2 billion over the next four years. Sen. Lynda Wilson, Republican leader on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and a member of the state Economic Revenue and...

OLYMPIA… Key leaders in the Senate Republican Caucus reacted strongly today after the Senate’s Democratic majority approved legislation to create a state income tax, despite knowing an income tax has been unconstitutional in Washington since 1932. Since 1934, Washington voters have rejected 10 attempts to enact an income tax, either through...

Plan to get schools open and people back to work also doesn’t need more taxes OLYMPIA… Less than one-third of the way through the 2021 legislative session, Senate Republicans have stepped forward with a 2021-23 budget proposal aimed at restarting schools and bringing jobs back, while saving money for lower-income...

Hello Friends and Neighbors, Week three of our very unusual legislative session is over. I’ll start this report by thanking everyone who has already phoned, emailed, or written to me about issues or specific bills. As I figured, becoming the budget leader for our Senate Republican Caucus has placed many...

VANCOUVER… Sen. Lynda Wilson, lead Republican on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, offered this statement today after Gov. Jay Inslee completed the release of his 2021-23 operating budget proposal. “I’m encouraged by the governor’s new focus on getting children back into school, considering how more than half the state...

February 28, 2020 Hello Friends and Neighbors, The Tiffany Hill Act received a very warm reception at its first stop in the House of Representatives, but there is now concern that the bill may hit a roadblock. Please read on for the details and how you can help. This legislative...

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Let’s start with the good news… Eight of the nine bills I prime-sponsored this session have survived cutoff, and two of them were unanimously passed by the Senate today. SB 5213 is a “good little bill” that would allow Limited License Legal Technicians to be fairly...

As we approach the midpoint of this short, 60-day legislative session, the full court press for new taxes is about to begin.  You may recall my warning about this in my week one e-newsletter. Earlier this week, Governor Inslee held a press conference where he called upon the Legislature to...

Rep. Lynda Wilson shares her concerns with the budget released today by House Democrats.