Income tax bill passes despite marathon Republican fight; Mendoza, Manjarrez warn tax could spread to all Washingtonians

Reps. Gloria Mendoza, R-Grandview, and Deb Manjarrez, R-Wapato, sharply criticized Senate Bill 6346 following a marathon debate on the House floor, warning the proposal would open the door to Washington’s first state income tax and eventually expand far beyond wealthy taxpayers.

The Democrat bill would impose a 9.9% tax on household income above one million dollars, creating Washington’s first state income tax.

“This bill might be marketed as a tax on high earners, but families in places like Yakima, Wapato, Sunnyside, and Grandview know better,” said Mendoza. “Once Democrats in Olympia pass an income tax, it will eventually reach people of all incomes who are already working the hardest to make ends meet.”

“As a small business owner, I know firsthand how difficult it already is to operate in Washington with rising costs, regulations, and uncertainty. This bill sends the wrong message to our employers and job creators by proposing a new income tax that could discourage investment and economic growth,” said Manjarrez. “Instead of making it harder for small businesses to succeed, we should be focused on policies that help them grow and keep Washington affordable for the families they employ.”

Mendoza and Manjarrez said the proposal comes as families in rural communities are already facing serious affordability challenges.

“People in our district generally earn less than those in larger cities, yet they’re paying more every year because of higher gas taxes, diesel taxes, and other costs that hit our farming and trucking industries especially hard,” Mendoza said.

“Washington families are already struggling with the rising cost of housing, groceries, fuel, and everyday essentials. This is another piece of legislation that moves our state in the wrong direction, threatens our economic stability, and makes Washington less affordable to live and work in. Once the door is opened to an income tax, nothing is stopping future legislatures from expanding it to more people,” Manjarrez added. “I would add that the tax revenue raised in this income tax is not dedicated to child care, schools, or Medicaid.  The voters are being deceived.”

House Republicans say the proposal also raises constitutional concerns. Washington courts have historically interpreted income as property, meaning income taxes must meet strict uniformity requirements unless the state constitution is amended.

Republicans also note Washington voters have rejected income-tax proposals 10 times at the ballot box and warn the measure could drive jobs, investment, and economic opportunity out of the state.

The battle over Senate Bill 6346 became one of the longest debates in recent Washington legislative memory, lasting more than 24 hours. More than 80 amendments were introduced on the House floor, including 53 from Republicans seeking to limit the proposal and protect taxpayers. Nearly all Republican amendments were rejected.

In the end, Democrats approved the bill on a vote of 51-46 with every Republican voting no. The bill now goes back to the Senate for further consideration.

The 2026 legislative session is scheduled to end Thursday, March 12.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov