Statement from Rep. Deb Manjarrez and Rep. Gloria Mendoza on governor’s signing of budget, tax bills

On Tuesday, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed legislation enacting a $78 billion state operating budget, which relies on nearly $10 billion in new taxes and fees — the largest tax increase in state history. Fourteenth District Reps. Deb Manjarrez, R-Wapato, and Gloria Mendoza, R-Grandview, issued the following joint statement:

“During his inaugural address, Governor Ferguson said he would not contemplate tax increases until all efforts were exhausted to improve efficiency and only as a last resort. This gave us signs of hope that we now have a governor who would lead this state in a different direction and away from the tax-and-spend policies that got our state into financial trouble in the first place. Unfortunately, his true colors were revealed as he signed a budget that increased spending by six billion dollars and condemned Washingtonians with the highest tax increases ever in our state.

“It is a sad day for people in Washington struggling to afford food, gas, groceries, rent, mortgages, medical bills, child care, and day-to-day living costs. They will pay more for these expenses due to the tax increases the governor signed, including bills that tax the joy out of our state, like higher hunting and fishing licenses, the Discover Pass, car tab fees, and more.

“Republicans demonstrated that we could have balanced the state operating budget by setting priorities without deep cuts and without raising taxes. We were hoping the governor would veto the Democrats’ tax increases so that we could return to a special session and get it right. Instead, Governor Ferguson caved in to his party and became complicit in imposing taxes that will hurt every Washington citizen.

“We are especially concerned about how this will affect the citizens we represent in the 14th District, including employers who provide jobs, farmers who rely on gasoline and diesel to produce crops and transport them to the market, the construction and lending industries, which are so crucial to our local economy, especially housing. However, we now are more determined than ever to fight for their survival and get state government out of Washingtonians’ wallets.”

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov