Washington state families need relief — not more taxes

Washington doesn’t have a budget crisis — it has a priorities crisis.

Last week, the House passed an operating budget that relies on more than $15 billion in new and increased taxes. And it’s not just big corporations footing the bill. House Democrats approved hikes on marriage licenses, fishing and hunting permits and even Discovery Passes — costs that hit working families and seniors just trying to enjoy the great outdoors.

During the debate, House Republicans raised the red flag over these misguided choices. We offered responsible amendments that would have reduced wasteful spending, eliminated the need for new taxes, and funded core priorities, like special education and universal school meals. Those amendments were rejected on party lines.

The insatiable appetite for taxes seems to have no end. And here’s the kicker: the budget Democrats passed leaves $3.5 billion sitting on the bottom line. That means they don’t need to raise taxes — they want to. All these added costs make it harder to live here, to raise a family and to build generational wealth through homeownership.

Speaking about taxes, that brings me to the issue I hear about most from constituents in the 20th District and throughout Southwest Washington: property taxes.

There’s a tipping point when rising costs force people out of their homes. Unfortunately, Washington is dangerously close to it.

People tell me they no longer feel like they own their homes. Instead, they feel like they’re leasing them from the government, trapped in a regressive system that punishes families, retirees and first-time homebuyers alike.

Now, amid that massive operating budget deficit, the majority party’s solution is to raise your property taxes. Two proposals — House Bill 2049 and Senate Bill 5798 — would blow the cap off property tax limits, accelerating the affordability crisis in our state.

House Bill 2049 increases the cap on annual property tax revenue growth from 1% to 3%, tripling what local governments can collect. It also raises levy limits for schools and changes funding formulas that will ultimately lead to higher taxes across the board. It’s being marketed as a fix for education and public safety, but in reality, it’s just a green light for government growth — at your expense.

Senate Bill 5798 does much the same. It lifts the 1% growth limit and ties future property tax increases to inflation and population growth, with no real ceiling. While it offers some tax relief for seniors, it pushes the burden onto working families, small businesses and renters.

The public response has been overwhelming. Over 43,000 people signed in opposition to SB 5798. Thousands more came out against HB 2049. That’s not a coincidence. It’s a cry for help from people who are already stretched too thin and fear losing the homes they’ve worked their whole lives to keep.

When your property tax bill is bigger than your mortgage payment, that’s not the American Dream. That’s a nightmare. And renters aren’t immune. As costs rise, housing providers pass the burden on, driving up rents and driving down supply — the exact opposite of what we need in a housing crisis. Add in proposals for rent control, and we risk forcing both landlords and tenants out of the market altogether.

We should be asking ourselves: Why, in a time of record homelessness and housing insecurity, are some lawmakers pushing policies that make it even harder to keep a roof over your head?

These proposals don’t reflect fiscal responsibility — they reflect skewed priorities. Instead of protecting people, they protect programs. Instead of budgeting smarter, they just tax more.

Let’s be clear: The solution to a spending problem isn’t a taxing solution. It’s time for a serious conversation about what really matters — a budget that lives within its means and puts families first.

House Republicans will keep fighting for the people who simply want to stay in their homes, raise their families and retire with dignity. Let’s protect the American Dream — not price it out of reach.

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State Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, represents the 20th Legislative District and is the House Republican Caucus chair.