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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The scheduled 60-day session opened Monday, Jan. 12, in Olympia. Traditionally, the first day is celebrated with a tone of cooperation and accountability among lawmakers. Instead, the Democratic House Speaker’s opening address focused on blaming the federal government for Washington’s affordability crisis.
Make no mistake. The Democrats created the affordability crisis we are facing in our Washington, not lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
Gov. Bob Ferguson echoed much of the same in his State of the State Address on Tuesday. It was very disappointing.
This narrative ignores reality. Democrats have controlled state government for nearly 30 years, and during that time, the Legislature has raised taxes and increased costs on fuel, transportation, and everyday necessities. Those decisions were made here in Olympia—not in Washington, D.C.
High food and gas prices are not the result of federal policies or tariffs that haven’t even taken effect. They are the outcome of years of unchecked spending and repeated tax increases passed by the same Democratic majority now avoiding responsibility.
Leadership means owning the consequences of policy decisions and working together to fix them. Washington families are asking for relief—not more blame, and not higher taxes.
I will continue to push for accountability, responsible budgeting, lower taxes, and real solutions to restore affordability for the people we serve.
What to expect in the 2026 session
Even after Democrats last year passed the largest tax increases in state history, we entered the 2026 session in a multi-billion-dollar deficit. And let’s be clear – Washington doesn’t have a revenue problem. The Democratic majority has a SPENDING problem. That’s why we are in this mess.
Instead of tightening the belt, majority Democrats are preparing another round of tax increases—ignoring the fact that 82% of Washingtonians believe state taxes are already too high.
Among the proposals being discussed are a 9.9% state income tax on “high earners,” a 1% wealth tax, a 5% payroll tax on wages above $125,000, higher property tax growth rates, increases to the real estate excise tax, and an 11% tax on firearms and ammunition. These taxes won’t solve the budget problem. They will drive job creators, small businesses, and families out of Washington. Democrats are also considering raiding the state’s “Rainy Day Fund” to further satiate their spending addiction.
House Republicans are offering a better approach with an Affordability First Budget that does not raise taxes. Our plan identifies nearly $4 billion in savings over four years by reducing lower-priority spending and streamlining state agencies, while protecting classrooms, preserving essential benefits, and restoring funding for Medicaid, food assistance, and law enforcement hiring.
Taxes aren’t the only concern this session. Lawmakers are also considering juvenile justice rollbacks, even as juvenile auto-theft arrests are up 507%, a 10-cent bottle deposit that would raise grocery prices, higher-paid family medical leave premiums, and a California-style wildfire fund that could increase utility bills statewide.
Learn more about the 2026 session from my opinion editorial (which was published Jan. 12 in The Tri-City Herald).
Affordability survey – Last chance to submit your answers
I will be closing my online Affordability Survey this Friday, Jan. 16. Initial results show that respondents are very concerned about the costs of groceries, gasoline and household essentials, and that recent tax increases are worsening the state’s affordability crisis. If you haven’t taken my survey, please do so before it closes on Friday.
Engage with your Legislature
Your voice matters. You can call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000, comment on bills and testify at leg.wa.gov/learn-and-participate, and watch proceedings on TVW.org.
As your representative, I will continue to stand against tax increases and policies that worsen affordability and harm our economy. My focus remains on keeping the 14th District affordable for families, seniors, employers, and future generations.
Contact my office anytime with your questions, comments or suggestions. Thank you for the honor of serving as your voice in Olympia.
Sincerely,
Gloria Mendoza
