(The Center Square) – Hundreds of frustrated Washingtonians rallied on the steps in front of the Legislative Building in Olympia on Tuesday afternoon – Tax Day – to let majority party Democrats know they don’t approve of a bevy of proposed tax increases.
The rally was hosted by political action committee Let’s Go Washington.
Earlier Tuesday, Democratic budget leaders in both chambers of the Legislature released an updated revenue package meant to raise nearly $12 billion over four years. The state’s operating budget is facing a projected four-year shortfall of $16 billion.
Democrats are proposing hikes in business and occupation taxes and capital gains taxes, new sales taxes on services, and increased property tax collections by state and local governments.
In addition, Democrats are proposing upping a surcharge on technology companies, expanding taxes on nicotine products, mandating a one-time prepayment of state sales tax collections for large businesses, and imposing a surcharge on most corporations with more than $250 million in annual revenue.
Rallygoers made their feelings known with signs that expressed sentiments such as “No Property Tax Hikes” and “Vets on a Fixed Income Say: Stop the Squeeze!”
John and Kelly Frost, who live in Olympia, told The Center Square they showed up for the rally to oppose the massive tax increases.
“They’re not budgeting, and even though they are out of money, they’re coming up with new ways to spend money that they don’t have, and it’s ridiculous,” John said.
“It’s just one more thing on top of so many other things and you have to say enough is enough at some point,” Kelly added. “They just don’t seem to care about any of us.”
“No more taxes; stop feeding the beast,” attendee John Anderson said. “They just keep digging into my pocket and taking more, and I could be using that money in a better way for myself and my family.”
As the rally began, Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, fired up the crowd.
“This is so important that you’re here, because we have to spread the word to every corner of this state that what the progressive left is doing inside is an inherent affront to good public policy,” said Walsh, who also serves as the chair of the state Republican Party. “They are running up budgets irresponsibly. We say they are spending like drunken sailors, but that’s an insult to drunken sailors.”
Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, also addressed the crowd and thanked them for attending.
“It can be really lonely in there,” Corry said, pointing to the Legislative Building. “You’re the reason we’re here. Your families are the reason we’re here because we know what Washington can be.”
Republicans are pushing back against Democrats’ proposed tax hikes, he noted.
“We’ve got taxes on businesses, we’ve got taxes on groceries, we’ve got taxes up the wazoo. We don’t need it. It doesn’t need to be that way. This entire scheme is made up. We don’t have a budget crisis,” Corry explained. “The question we have to ask ourselves is we’re getting taxes, but what are we getting more of? Crime is up, our roads are bad, our schools are failing, our costs are going up and for what? I would take more freedom any day of the week.”
Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, reminded rallygoers that Senate Republicans, under his leadership as the lead budget writer for the minority party, offered their own budget proposal, which preserves critical programs and services, without any tax increases.
Senate Bill 5810 is now a standalone piece of legislation. It’s unclear if Democrats intend to incorporate any of the proposals in the Republican bill into their budget.
“The budget negotiations between the Senate and House are happening out of public view, so there’s no telling how this will end,” Gildon said in a Tuesday news release.
Democratic leaders told reporters more than a week ago that their revised budgets – expected to be revealed soon – would no longer include a proposed wealth tax or raiding of the state’s rainy day fund due to resistance from Gov. Bob Ferguson.
The rally also included a giveaway, with one attendee winning a drawing to have their 2025 property tax bill paid for by Let’s Go Washington.
Lucinda Lafayette of Rochester won the drawing.
“I can’t believe this,” a grinning Lafayette said as she presented her winning ticket. “This is just incredible.”
