Taxes and Tax Relief

February 17, 2024

E-News: Property-tax threat goes away, but threat to rural health care remains

  I was happy to welcome members of Teamsters 117, which represents Department of Corrections employees, when they came over from Walla Walla to visit the Capitol earlier this month. In response to the question “Who has been assaulted on the job?” probably half raised their hands. Feedback like this...
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February 09, 2024

Property-tax bill is ‘dead,’ 16th District senator says it never should have been filed

OLYMPIA…Sen. Perry Dozier, R-Waitsburg, offered this comment after learning majority Democrats in the Senate are dropping their proposal to allow local governments to raise property taxes by up to 3% annually without a vote of the people. Dozier was among the Senate Republicans and members of the public who opposed...
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October 05, 2023

Senator says Ecology must be open about program driving up fuel prices

OLYMPIA… While raking in more than $1 billion from the carbon-pricing program that is behind Washington’s crushingly high fuel prices, the state Department of Ecology isn’t being fully open about who is buying and holding the carbon credits. A state senator says that has to change. The state’s Climate Commitment...
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July 14, 2023

E-News: Affordability crisis deepens in WA, between gas prices and new tax on workers

On Tuesday morning I had the pleasure of taking part in a memorable ceremony for the B5 Community Learning Center in Kennewick. Often the shovels are put in the hands of the elected officials and others who have had roles in getting a project to the construction stage; this time...
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March 31, 2023

E-News: Yes to one budget, no to another — and the latest on public safety

April 2, 2023 On the floor of the Senate chamber this week with Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick. This is his first session as a senator, coming over from the House; we’re neighbors, as the 8th Legislative District is primarily the Kennewick and Richland portions of Benton County adjacent to our...
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March 17, 2023

E-News: Budget proposals on the way; anti-firearm bills bring strong response

As lead Republican co-sponsor of a Senate bill about enhancing Washington’s tourism marketing efforts, and a member of the state Tourism Marketing Authority, it was my pleasure to meet with tourism leaders from throughout our state who visited the Capitol this week. We’ll know later this month if Senate Bill...
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February 04, 2022

Legislative video: update on governor’s emergency powers

Welcome to my video update! Today I want to share the latest information on bills addressing the governor’s emergency powers and a bill that would offer tax relief.
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January 28, 2022

Long-Term Care Payroll Tax update: kicking the can down the road

Dear Friends and Neighbors, This session, I continue to serve as the Ranking Republican on the Senate’s Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee. This committee primarily focuses on issues relating to insurance, services issues — including the soundness of state banks and credit unions, the regulation of consumer credit and...
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October 01, 2021

Alert! Long-term care payroll tax exemption now available

Dear Friends and Neighbors, Some of you may remember receiving a newsletter from me earlier this summer regarding the newly formed WA CARES Fund and the payroll tax that comes with it. For more information on this new program, check out my previous newsletter here. As a follow-up, I want to...
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