‘Our spending has been out of control:’ Republican leader pushes back against cuts, tax increases in new budget plan

Washington’s legislative session has come to a close, and with it, a $77.1 billion operating budget was passed.

House Democrats stated that the budget plan includes $3.1 billion in cuts (for the 2025-27 biennium), a $7 billion reduction over the next four years, and a tax package that is expected to net approximately $9.4 billion over that time period.

Chris Corry, the state representative of the Yakima area and Deputy Minority Leader, believes these decisions are unnecessary.

“There was kind of this mantra created before the session even began, that Washington was headed into a budget crisis, and it couldn’t have been further from the truth,” Corry said on “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio. “Revenues were still growing. It’s just our spending has been out of control.”

With a six-cent gas tax hike, an annual rent cap, and a new transportation funding plan all gaining approval, Corry said that the impact of this may fall on “low-income Washingtonians.”

“If you rely on some different state programs, you may see some delays there…they cut some different welfare…and then you’re going to start seeing it at the pump…If you’re a renter or even a homeowner who has storage units, you’re now going to see that subject to more taxes,” Corry said. “So those costs are going to go up. Along with everything else going on at the federal level, it’s just going to be that tick, tick, tick, where we’re expanding the state’s reach into your pocketbook.”

Governor Bob Ferguson still needs to go over the budget, with the option to implement any line-item vetoes. Charlie Harger, co-host of “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio, asked Corry if he thinks the governor will make any changes that align with the Republican Party.

“Yeah, I do. If the message from Governor Ferguson and his inaugural address holds true, he’s looking to reform government and to control spending,” Corry responded. “He’s had a lot of head-butting with the majority party this session, but I hope he sticks to his guns, not just for me as a Republican…I just think it’s good public policy for us to not get ahead of our skis with this much spending.”

Listen to the full conversation below.

Listen to “Seattle’s Morning News” with Charlie Harger and Manda Factor weekday mornings from 5-9 a.m. on KIRO Newsradio. Subscribe to the podcast here.