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Washington Republican leaders oppose income-tax proposal, warn of economic risk
Summary
House Republican leader Drew Stokesberry and Senate Republican leader John Brown told reporters they will oppose a proposed income tax or constitutional amendment, arguing it would broaden beyond high earners and harm Washington's economy and bond rating.
House Republican leader Drew Stokesberry and Senate Republican leader John Brown used a leadership media availability to sharply criticize proposals to impose an income tax in Washington, saying the tax would ultimately fall on ordinary taxpayers and risk the state's economic footing.
"We need less taxes, less regulation, and less government involvement if we're gonna get out of people's way and allow our economy to flourish," said Senator John Brown, identifying affordability as the caucus priority. Brown repeatedly framed the session as a fight over taxes and budget choices.
Reporters asked whether a "billionaires" income tax or a constitutional amendment had enough support. Brown said Republicans will oppose an amendment and argued there are not votes to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot in a 60-day session. "I could tell you that for sure because there's not a Republican in the legislature that will vote for that," Brown said.
House Republican leader Drew Stokesberry criticized what he described as a pattern of tax and fee increases under Democrats, including the document recording fee, capital gains taxation and doubled Discover Pass and license fees, saying measures framed as limited can expand over time.
Both leaders urged using existing revenues and targeted adjustments instead of new broad-based levies. Brown called for reallocating existing Climate Commitment Act funds toward transportation and working-family tax relief rather than new taxes. "If we're going to collect that money and the people of state Washington said we wanna keep doing that, we ought to invest a much larger portion of it in our transportation system," he said.
The leaders did not identify specific, enacted bills in the availability; they said Republican opposition would center on blocking a constitutional amendment and resisting proposals they say would expand tax burdens. The session is scheduled to run 60 days, and Brown said Republicans will press for budget discipline and alternatives rather than new broad-based income taxes.
The leadership availability concluded with Brown thanking attendees and saying Republicans look forward to negotiating priorities over the remainder of the session.
