Citing high taxes, Governor Bob Ferguson rejects Democratic budgets from Senate and House

Democrats in the state House and Senate each passed operating budgets with steep tax increases. Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson says he’s rejecting them both.

“We cannot adopt a budget with anywhere near the level of taxes currently proposed by the House and Senate,” he said.

Ferguson noted that neither budget “is close to one that I can sign for two reasons.”

“First, they each propose far too much in taxes. Second, they both rely on a wealth tax, which is novel, untested, difficult to implement, and most importantly, for purposes of adopting a sustainable budget, will face an immediate challenge in court,” Ferguson said at a Tuesday press conference.

‘Five alarm fire’

Ferguson said that the legislature “needs to immediately move the budget discussion in a significantly different direction on both of these issues.” He mentioned concern that federal dollars may be cut under President Donald Trump.

“We can and we must prepare for even greater cuts from the federal government,” Ferguson explained. “We need to accept the reality that we are in the midst of unprecedented times with a federal government that is intent on making significant cuts, no matter the resulting harm to Americans. This is a five-alarm fire, and I intend to treat it that way.”

In addition to the wealth tax, the budget proposals from Democrats include property tax increases and a payroll tax on large Washington businesses. Ferguson declined to take a position on either of the ideas, citing ongoing negotiations around the budget.

GOP celebrates

The move earned support from Republicans, who have been pushing a budget that they say avoids taxes with strategic cuts.

“The governor is absolutely right to say the budgets from the Senate and House Democrats propose ‘far too much’ in new taxes. Tens of thousands of people have told us as much in the course of opposing the Senate Democrats’ record-breaking $21 billion tax package. We’re glad the governor seems to be hearing them as well,” Sen. Chris Gildon (R-Puyallup), Senate Republican budget leader, said in a statement.

Democrat responds

“I appreciate the governor providing more clarity today on his vision for the operating budget and his commitment to a balanced approach — one that includes both new revenue and responsible, targeted reductions,” Democrat June Robinson, the lead senate budget writer, said in an email to KIRO Newsradio. “This aligns with the thoughtful, forward-looking mindset that’s guided our process from the start. I’m confident we will continue working together to deliver a final budget that meets the needs of Washingtonians and puts our state on strong financial footing for the future.”  

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