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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we enter the Thanksgiving season, I want you to know how thankful I am to serve as your state representative for the 14th District. We are truly blessed to live in such a beautiful and diverse area. I am dedicated to the goal of fixing Washington for our families, our employers, our young people, and our senior citizens, so that it becomes the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
Thank you for taking a few minutes to read my latest legislative email update and complete my online survey.
Is Washington state too expensive? Please take my survey and let me know!
I have spent a lot of time in each of our local communities, meeting with citizens, touring various businesses and agricultural operations, and talking with area leaders. While I am hearing a variety of concerns, one theme continues to emerge: Washington has become too expensive.
In my last email update, I warned that new tax increases implemented by the majority-party Democrats in Olympia have made our state’s affordability crisis much worse. Now, I’d like to hear directly from you. Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey on affordability in Washington state. Your input will help me as I prepare for the 2026 legislative session, which begins Jan. 12 in Olympia.
A self-inflicted budget hole could get worse through more tax increases
Last April, the majority-party Democrats in Olympia passed the largest tax increase in state history — more than $9 billion. They did this to pay for record spending in the state’s operating budget — nearly $78 billion — all while slashing more than $782 million from Medicaid and providing pay raises for bureaucrats.
House Republicans offered a different path that would have prioritized spending, lowered costs, and eased the tax burden on working families. Democrats rejected our proposals. Now, Washington employers say taxes are their primary concern, with 76% of those surveyed reporting that the recent tax increases are negatively affecting their businesses. A majority of those businesses report passing those costs directly onto consumers.
When people are forced to pay more for necessities — food, gasoline, housing, utilities, and more — they reduce their overall spending. That’s one of several factors affecting expected state budget revenues. The state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council recently projected a $66.3 million decrease over the five-year outlook. This means the Legislature will likely face another budget shortfall as it enters the 2026 legislative session in January.
In response, Democratic budget leaders are already contemplating further tax increases in the 2026 session. That’s a BIG mistake!
Washington has a SPENDING problem, not a REVENUE problem. These budget deficits are self-inflicted because Democratic lawmakers apparently cannot control their spending of your hard-earned tax dollars. And now they want more?
Let’s be clear. We cannot tax our state into prosperity. It simply isn’t possible.
My Republican colleagues and I will be fighting against tax increases and for policies that improve affordability in Washington state.
Your input is needed
Less than two months remain before the Legislature meets for a 60-day session, starting Jan. 12. Our government works best when citizens are involved. Your input is needed and valuable to the process. Be sure to complete my Affordability Survey. Also, reach out to my office with any questions, comments, or suggestions about legislation and state government. It is my honor to serve you.
To you and your family, have a happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Gloria Mendoza
