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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Yesterday, the state's economist released his latest revenue forecast. Between surging revenue collections over the past year and reduced demand for state services thanks to strong economic growth, our state now has a $2.4 billion budget surplus.
Despite these record revenues, not to mention voters repeatedly rejecting higher taxes, the majority has still increased taxes by billions of dollars. In fact, the very first bill the governor signed into law this session was a tax increase on health care and other essential services. And this was after they raised taxes on housing, utilities and transportation by billions of dollars just last session.
You and your family deserve better. Instead of spending our record budget surplus on more bureaucracy, we should deliver immediate tax relief for working families in our community and across the state of Washington. Yesterday, I introduced a bill to do just that.
House Bill 2946 would provide $1 billion in tax relief by:
- Upholding voters' demand for $30 car tabs, while ensuring no disruption to road projects and transit service.
- Eliminating the sales tax on prepared food items sold at grocery stores.
- Eliminating the sales tax on personal necessities like feminine hygiene products, breast pumps, and diapers.
All 40 members of the House Republican Caucus have signed on to my bill. We are united in trying to make life more affordable for all Washingtonians. In light of the substantial budget surplus our state has, I am hopeful the majority party will consider our efforts to respect the clear will of the voters by delivering $30 car tabs as we also work to relieve the unfair sales tax burden on many basic necessities.
It is an honor to serve you.
Warmly,
Drew Stokesbary
