The following e-newsletter was sent to Sen. Leonard Christian’s subscribers Dec. 5, 2025. To subscribe to Sen. Christian’s e-newsletters, click here.

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Get set for another taxing spree in Olympia next year. And brace yourself – 2026 may be the year our majority colleagues in the Legislature try to pass an income tax.

That’s the word at the Capitol as we get set for the 2026 session. Lawmakers returned briefly to Olympia this week for committee hearings and strategy sessions, part of the run-up to the session that begins next month.

Our 2026 session begins Jan. 12 and is scheduled to run 60 days. Here’s the one thing you really need to know: Next year our colleagues are coming back for more.

Last year’s Legislature, under the control of a Democratic majority, finally hit a brick wall after several sessions of wild spending. We just didn’t have enough money to keep it up. But rather than making course corrections and bringing spending in line with taxes, our colleagues took the easy way out. They passed the biggest tax increase in the history of the state, more than $14 billion all told, about $9 billion of that for the state general fund.

And then they kept right on spending as if nothing had happened. So that’s why we will be starting the next session $4.3 billion in the hole. Already we are hearing some extraordinary proposals to fill it.

How about a tax on jobs?

On Tuesday, Rep. Shaun Scott, a Seattle Democrat who describes himself as a socialist, held a news conference on the Capitol steps to propose a statewide “jobs tax.” This measure would impose a 5 percent tax on jobs paying more than $125,000 a year. Keep in mind, if you want less of something, you tax it. Sounds like a great way for Washington to declare we have too many high-paying jobs. Send them to another state, please!

Then we have more traditional income-tax proposals. Senate Democrats reportedly are considering a 9.9 percent tax on adjusted gross income over $1 million. That would just be the beginning, course. Taxes on the rich never meet projections, because the rich usually can find ways to avoid paying, like packing up and taking their business with them. So taxes like these always are expanded until they hit people like you and me. Just ask every other state that’s tried it. You think Washington will be any different?

Another proposal that has the progressives abuzz is a so-called “wealth tax” — a tax on stocks, bonds and other financial holdings. It’s another tax-the-rich proposal that could well be expanded to you and me. Just wait state government starts taxing our 401(K) accounts. So much for a comfortable retirement.

Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, is sounding a public warning. If this keeps up, Washington could lose the tech industry – and Vancouver, B.C. could become the next Seattle. What he’s saying is that Washington has taken its success for granted. The tech industry has generated the money our colleagues needed in order to spend irresponsibly. But just wait until one or more of these new taxes becomes law and Washington finishes off the golden goose. Once we chase big tech and business away, the rest of us are next.

At last, a tax I can support

Here’s a “professional service” the 2025 Legislature forgot to tax: Let’s tax paid protesters!

My bill to tax professional protesting services is attracting attention. Click this link to listen to my recent appearance on the Ari Hoffman Show on KVI in Seattle.

I’m going to be a no-vote on all of next year’s big tax proposals, and I would be surprised if we see any support from my side of the aisle. But I want you to know I keep an open mind on this subject. I can think of one tax I would be able to support next year. In fact, I dropped a bill on it this week, when the pre-filing period opened for the 2026 session. Already it is getting a fair amount of attention.

Senate Bill 5819 imposes the sales and use tax on paid protesting services.

Think of all the other taxes our colleagues passed last year on professional services. Why should professional protesters get off free? This bill would classify paid protesting services as a temporary staffing service, making it subject to sales and use tax.

I got the idea when I saw reports on the ongoing protests at federal immigration offices in Portland. Day in, day out, these protests continue, long past the point of public boredom – and you have to wonder. Are people getting paid for it?

Nobody knows the extent of paid protesting, here or anywhere else. I am sure we will find this to be an untapped gold mine, and I trust this bill will go a long way toward filling our $4.3 billion budget hole. Just doing my part to fix the budget!

Christmas at the Capitol

One of our proudest Christmas traditions at the Capitol is the tree we place each year in the Capitol rotunda. Wishing happiness to you and your family this Christmas season, and may your days be merry and bright!

 

Interested in serving as a Senate page?

Limited openings available for students age 14 to 16

My office has limited slots available for students interested in paging in the Washington Senate next session. If you are age 14 to 16, or you know someone who is, now is the time to apply.

The Senate Page Program is an outstanding opportunity to see the Legislature in action. Pages spend a week in Olympia, working in the Senate chamber during floor sessions and performing other tasks around the statehouse. For many teens, the experience is a springboard to career opportunities in the political and public policy arena. Next year’s program operates from January to March when the Legislature is in session. Applications and further information are available at this link.

Thanks for reading,

 

 

 

Leonard Christian
4th Legislative District

Contact me!

If you have a comment about state government, or a concern with a state agency, I hope you will reach out to my office. My most important duty is to serve you.

Mailing address: Post Office Box 40404, Olympia, WA 98504
Email: Leonard.Christian@leg.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 786-7606
Leave a message on the Legislative Hotline: 1 (800) 562-6000

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