Gee and Ursula blast state budget that ‘relies too much on taxes,’ hurts small businesses: ‘It’s exhausting’

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed a massive $77.9 billion operating budget for the next two years. The governor also signed SSB 5195, the state’s capital budget, coming in at $7.3 billion, along with the state’s transportation budget.

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin, co-hosts of “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, believe the new budget is too reliant on taxes and will only cause more damage to those already struggling.

“I’m going to take up today for a lot of the small businesses around here that are being asked to continue with their tax increase, so they’re being burdened by paying extra taxes,” Gee said. “People with lower incomes are asked to pay a higher percentage of their income on taxes. Meanwhile, if you have the means and you have the money, you’re able to dodge these taxes.”

Ursula agreed with Gee that the budget will hurt those who can’t afford higher taxes.

“I think this is a budget that relies entirely too much on taxes, that will affect most those who really can’t afford them—$9 billion of new taxes, and we’re still increasing our spending,” she noted. “Governor Ferguson says it could have been worse. He says he pushed back on a $21 billion tax package that Democrats had originally proposed. And he says, ‘You know what? This is a significant improvement.’ I say that is little consolation for people who are just really not able to afford some of these things that are coming down the pike.”

Ursula questions if Washington budget is being spent wisely

Ursula also questioned if the additional spending is being thoroughly reviewed.

“I’m a big proponent of education, nearly $1 billion of additional spending. Have we made sure that the current funding is being spent wisely and we’re getting our money’s worth when it comes to that? I mean, it’s like everyone has to make tough decisions, and this idea of just going back to the wall and saying, ‘Hey, we’re just going to keep increasing our spending, and we’re going to keep increasing your taxes.’ It’s exhausting,” Ursula said.

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.