Washington GOP leaders denounce proposed income tax, say caucus will issue its own media credentials

OLYMPIA — House Republican Deputy Leader Chris Corey and Senate Republican Leader John Braun told reporters on day 30 of the legislative session that they will fight a proposed state income tax they called both unconstitutional and harmful to Washington’s economy.

"Welcome to day 30 of the legislative session," Corey said as he opened the press event and laid out the caucus’s priorities. Braun told reporters the income tax is "the largest bill of the session," that the proposal drew what he described as overwhelming opposition during a rushed Ways and Means hearing and that the majority moved the measure forward despite that opposition.

Why it matters: Republicans said the proposal is not a narrowly targeted "millionaire’s tax" but an ordinary income tax that could be broadened by future legislatures. Braun said he expected a legal challenge based on the state constitution, noting testimony at the hearing by former Attorney General Rob McKenna that, in his view, the measure conflicts with the constitution’s text. Leaders warned the change could prompt capital flight and harm small and medium businesses.

Claim and numbers: Braun and other speakers cited what they described as a record number of people signing in against the bill; they called an initial estimate of roughly "64,000" sign-ins a strong indicator of public opposition and said the hearing’s accelerated schedule limited public review. Braun characterized the majority’s handling of the bill as an effort to "divide it evenly to give the impression that it was an even show." Corey said the bill had passed out of Ways and Means the night before.

Taxes and related proposals: Speakers listed other measures they oppose that they say would raise costs for families, including proposed fees and restrictions on bottles, tires and grocery items. They also pointed to bills they say Republicans stopped at cutoff, such as measures on grocery regulation and a utility wildfire fund that they argue would raise utility rates.

Media-access announcement: Corey said recent reports that some journalists were denied press passes prompted the caucus to act. "The House Republicans are gonna be issuing our own media credentials," he said, previewing a press release. He framed the move as aimed at transparency, adding that credentials would not be limited by political perspective.

Questions from reporters: When asked whether supporters who testified they would personally pay the tax were persuasive, Corey distinguished private giving from compulsory taxation, saying in effect that donations are voluntary and taxes are not. Braun said a legislative caucus is not the likely vehicle to file a constitutional challenge; he expects an outside organization to bring litigation if that occurs.

What’s next: Republicans said they expect several days of floor action and signaled continued effort to block the measure. Braun suggested there will be more floor debate in the coming days and repeated that legal challenges are likely from outside groups if the bill advances.

The event closed with leaders reiterating a focus on affordability and public safety as they continue floor action this week.