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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Lawmakers are debating several major issues as the Legislature enters the final two days of the 60-day session, which is scheduled to adjourn Thursday, March 12. Those issues include the state operating budget, transportation funding, capital construction projects, and a proposed state income tax. As I send this update, the House is still debating the income tax bill after a record continuous overnight floor session that began Monday evening.
In this update, you’ll find a brief overview of those issues along with several highlights from the 14th District, including:
- Major issues before the Legislature in the final days of the session
- My heritage apple orchard bill passes the Legislature and heads to the governor
- Investments in local community projects in the capital budget
- Progress toward adding a new Yakima County superior court judge
- A Kennewick student serves as a page in the House
Below is a quick look at the major issues being debated in the final days of the legislative session.
Major issues in the final days of the legislative session
With only a few days remaining before adjournment, lawmakers are voting on budgets and major policy proposals that will shape state government and local communities.
Income tax debate stretches through the night
As this update is being sent Tuesday morning, the House is still considering the proposed state income tax bill after working through the night on what has already become one of the longest floor discussions in the history of the Legislature.
Senate Bill 6346 came to the floor at 5:38 p.m. Monday, and lawmakers have been working on it continuously since then.
House Republicans have challenged the proposal by offering amendments and raising concerns about the creation of a state income tax. Nearly 80 amendments have been filed on the bill, including 54 from Republicans. As of mid-morning Tuesday, 29 amendments remain to be considered.
I strongly oppose this proposal. While supporters say it would apply only to individuals earning more than $1 million a year (or married people earning just over $500,000 each), many of us believe that once a state income tax is created, it will not stay limited to the wealthy.
My Republican colleagues and I will continue to fight this bill and work to protect Washington taxpayers from a statewide income tax as lawmakers consider the remaining amendments. I will provide an update on the outcome of this issue, including the final vote, in a future email newsletter.
Operating budget
The House approved a supplemental operating budget that adds about $2 billion in new spending, bringing the total two-year state budget to roughly $80 billion.
I voted no because I am concerned about continued spending growth and several policy choices in the plan. The budget also raids $4 billion from the LEOFF Plan 1 pension account, treating the retirement fund for firefighters and police officers like a piggy bank and breaking promises made to retired first responders. The plan also relies in part on revenue from a proposed state income tax.
Transportation budget
The House unanimously approved a $16.5 billion supplemental transportation budget focused primarily on maintaining and preserving Washington’s highways and bridges.
As the assistant ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee, I supported this budget because it prioritizes maintenance and preservation. I also spoke on the House floor about making sure these investments reach smaller rural communities such as Grandview, Granger, Prosser, and other areas across central Washington, not just large cities.
Capital construction budget
I voted for the supplemental capital budget because it includes $13.2 million for projects in our region, including:
- Yakima Behavioral Health Hub – $1.545 million
- Columbia Grange 87 improvements – $74,000
- Roof replacement for agricultural livestock barns – $150,000
- Pasco Regional Police Academy improvements – $1.002 million
- Yakama Nation trust land transfer – $4.4 million
- School modernization projects in Glenwood and Mabton
These investments support community infrastructure, agriculture, public safety, and schools throughout our region. While these are preliminary figures, I expect they will be included in the final supplemental capital budget the Legislature will vote on later this week.
Bill would shift authority over elected sheriffs to unelected board
Early Friday morning, Democrats in the state House passed Senate Bill 5974, allowing a state commission to decertify a sheriff and declare the office vacant if certification is lost.
My Republican colleagues and I fought the bill with nearly eight hours of debate, offering 30 amendments. All were rejected. We voted no because of an unelected state commission to remove a sheriff from office, which shifts authority away from voters.
Democrats seek to expand attorney general investigative powers
We also spent several hours debating against Senate Bill 5925, a Democrat-sponsored measure that would expand the powers of the state attorney general. Particularly troublesome is that the bill would grant the state attorney general authority to compel testimony and records before a civil lawsuit is filed.
I voted no because the proposal expands government power with too few safeguards and could lead to government overreach against individuals and businesses.
Mendoza heritage apple bill passes Legislature, heads to governor
Washington has a proud agricultural history, and apples are a big part of that story.
The Legislature has approved my proposal, House Bill 2525, creating a Washington heritage apple orchard registry, and the measure is now headed to the governor’s desk for signature.
The legislation would help preserve historically significant apple trees and orchards connected to Washington’s agricultural past. It creates a voluntary registry designed to promote education, tourism, and appreciation of the farms and families that helped build our state’s apple industry.
Standing up for farmers and farm workers
Farms across Washington are under increasing pressure from rising costs, regulatory burdens, and policies from the majority party in Olympia.
In a recent opinion column, I discussed the importance of recognizing the connection between healthy farms and healthy communities. When farms struggle, farm workers and the rural communities that depend on agriculture are affected.
I also recorded a short video discussing these challenges.
New Yakima County judge moving forward
Yakima County is expected to receive an additional superior court judge under legislation that has now passed the Legislature and is headed to the governor’s desk.
Earlier this session, I sponsored House Bill 2412 to create a new Yakima County superior court judge position. That bill passed the House unanimously but did not advance in the Senate.
However, a similar measure, Senate Bill 5868, has now passed the Legislature and will add one new superior court judge for Yakima County and another for Skagit County.
While it was not my bill that ultimately moved forward, I strongly supported the policy because Yakima County’s growing population and caseload make this additional judge essential for improving access to justice in our community.
Kennewick student serves as House page
One of the highlights of the legislative session is welcoming young people who come to Olympia to serve as legislative pages.
Recently, Ismerai Mendoza, a freshman from Riverview High School in Kennewick, served as a page in the Washington State House of Representatives.
Pages assist lawmakers and staff during the legislative session while learning firsthand how state government works.
Recognizing Presidents’ Day in the House
Last month, I had the opportunity to lead the House in recognizing Presidents’ Day, reflecting on the leadership and principles that have shaped our nation.
Listen to my radio report.
Watch the video.
Please stay in touch
The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn March 12, but my work representing the 14th District continues throughout the year.
If you need assistance with a state agency, have questions about legislation, or want to share ideas for improving our state, please contact my office anytime. Hearing from you helps me better represent our communities in Olympia.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Sincerely,
Gloria Mendoza
