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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
More taxes, deeper budget troubles for the state, and a governor who promised a lot earlier this year but hasn’t delivered. Welcome to my October legislative update!
I am working hard to address these and other problems facing our state. Together, we can fix Washington!
Read on for more details.
Today’s newsletter is 708 words, a four-minute read.
Gov. Ferguson, it’s time to fulfill your promises
I am sorely disappointed when a politician makes promises and then, somehow, forgets them when it counts. During his inaugural address in January, Gov. Ferguson made numerous promises and pledged to work with Republicans and Democrats to fulfill them. Unfortunately, many months later, most of those promises remain unfulfilled.
I invite you to read more in my opinion editorial in which I remind the governor that if he makes promises, he should keep them!
- Opinion editorial: Governor, it’s time to fulfill your promises!
- Tri-City Herald: Ferguson promised Washington bipartisanship. He isn’t delivering
- Yakima Herald-Republic: Time to fulfill your promise, Governor
- Watch my video
Democrats’ tax and spend budget sets the wrong priorities, digs a deeper hole
The budget passed by state Democrats and signed into law by Gov. Ferguson granted generous pay raises to bureaucrats and elected officials, while making the most significant cuts in state history to Medicaid, which provides health care to low-income and vulnerable residents.
Democrats also saddled taxpayers with more than $9 billion in new and increased taxes to pay for their excessive spending. It was the largest set of tax increases in Washington state’s history, the latest of which took effect on Oct. 1, hiking the sales tax on various services and goods.
Despite these massive tax increases, the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council is projecting a decrease in state revenues. In comparison to the June revenue forecast, expected Near General Fund-Outlook revenues are forecasted to decrease by $902 million over the four-year outlook. Anticipated revenues over the current and outlook biennia are now $2 billion lower than what was assumed in the 2025-27 operating budget. This means the Legislature will likely face another budget shortfall as it enters the 2026 legislative session in January.
How can this be? One word: Overspending!
In just a decade, Democrats have doubled state spending. Despite record revenues and a wave of new taxes, the majority still managed to spend beyond its means. Already, the new taxes are impacting businesses and families struggling to make ends meet.
My Republican colleagues and I will vigorously oppose additional tax increases if that’s the Democrats’ plan to address the budget shortfall in the 2026 session. We must reprioritize spending in the budget! As Winston Churchill is famously quoted: “For a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.”
Read more:
- House Republican Budget Leader Rep. Travis Couture issues a statement after a drop in the revenue forecast
- Revenue review | Economic and Revenue Forecast Council
- ‘All bad news’: Washington tax receipts expected to slide further | Washington State Standard
On the radio
I was recently honored to join Robb Francis and John McKay on KONA Radio’s “The Bottom Line” program from the Central Washington Fairgrounds, where I voiced my concerns over the massive tax increases in our state. Click on the image below to listen to the interview.
Stay in touch!
The 2026 legislative session is less than three months away, scheduled to begin Jan. 12. My seatmate, Rep. Deb Manjarrez, and I have been traveling throughout the district, attending events and meeting one-on-one with constituents. These meetings provide us with valuable information as we prepare for the upcoming session. If you would like to schedule a meeting, please call my office and speak with my new legislative assistant, Lupita Michel.
Please also share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns through email, written letter, or by telephone. We welcome all your communications. You’ll find my contact information below.
Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve and represent you and the fine citizens of the 14th District!
Sincerely,
Gloria Mendoza
