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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The first deadlines of the 2025 session have arrived. On Friday, many bills that didn’t make it out of their respective committees died this year. That’s because Friday was the “House of Origin Policy Cutoff,” the first of several self-imposed legislative deadlines to keep us on track for adjournment on April 27. As the Washington State Standard reported, “Bills dealing with cow burps, the state flag, and changes to police traffic stop standards are among the first to land in the legislative graveyard this year in Olympia.”
Today’s newsletter is a 4-minute read time.
The next big thing – Fiscal Cutoff
The next big deadline is this Friday, Feb. 28. That’s the “House of Origin Fiscal Cutoff.” Money-related bills that have not passed their respective fiscal committees (Appropriations, Finance, Transportation) may also be sent to the legislative graveyard on Friday. I serve on the House Appropriations Committee. We worked this past Saturday voting on bills. The committee will meet every afternoon through Wednesday, Feb. 26, and all day Thursday and Friday in anticipation of the Friday evening deadline. See the schedule here.
The tax debate
Washington state is facing a more than $4 billion budget shortfall in 2025-27 if collective bargaining agreements are factored in; the four-year deficit has different estimates but is likely around $10 billion.
A spending problem, not a revenue problem: While there are many contributing factors to the budget deficit, lack of tax revenues is not one of them. Tax collections have grown by 103% since 2014, and state spending is unsustainable. The state’s two-year operating budget spends more than $71 billion, up from about $44 billion that lawmakers approved in 2017. Has your income grown 100% since 2014? Most likely not!
Tax increases: Democrats are proposing to triple property tax rates under House Bill 1334. And that’s only the beginning. A document intended to remain private but leaked to the press in December revealed that Democrats are considering as many as nine new or higher taxes. You can read that now-public document here. Democrat Gov. Bob Ferguson doesn’t favor tax increases and calls for across-the-board cuts, the opposite of his party’s legislative leaders.
Where I stand: Washington families cannot afford more taxes. That is why I introduced House Bill 1340. My bill would eliminate the sales tax on prepared food, reducing your costs while eating out. While Democrats are pushing to increase property taxes, my seatmate, Rep. Gloria Mendoza, and I have introduced House Bill 1997 to provide a 10% property tax reduction. Unfortunately, neither of these bills has received public hearings despite our best efforts to advance tax relief.
Take action against bad bills
Some alarming bills are advancing through the Legislature this year. Along with the property tax increase I mentioned above, Democrats in Olympia are proposing a per-mile road usage charge, undoing the Parents’ Bill of Rights, enacting rent control that could deplete rental housing, reducing sentences for felons, and more. I encourage you to learn more about these bills and become engaged to stop them. Here’s a new “Stop Bad Bills” website that just went online Friday to help you become involved: https://stopbadbills.houserepublicans.wa.gov/
Other important tidbits
- Mapping the fentanyl crisis: As many as 11 people have died from drug overdoses in Yakima County since the beginning of this year. Last year, drug-related fatalities totaled 146 in Yakima County. The common theme is fentanyl. The numbers are so high that our first responders and drug treatment facilities cannot keep track. That’s why I was asked to sponsor legislation to help map overdoses. House Bill 1933 would direct the state Department of Health to create an interface between the Washington Emergency Medical Services Information System and an overdose detection mapping system. This would provide universal access and overdose information to Washington law enforcement and emergency service providers.
- In the news: Listen to my radio interview – KIT, Yakima
Join us for a 14th District Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Rep. Gloria Mendoza and I will hold an online Town Hall Meeting where you can ask questions about the 2025 legislative session, get an update, and let us know your views. Learn more about the event here.
- Thursday, March 13 – 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Go here to preregister: https://tinyurl.com/14thDist-TownHall
Or use your phone to scan this QR code:
If you have questions about the newsletter, the town hall meeting, or any pending legislation, feel free to call, email, or write my office. It is an honor to serve and represent you!
Sincerely,
Deb Manjarrez
