House Republican budget lead Drew Stokesbary releases statement on governor’s 2022 supplemental budget proposal

Rep. Drew Stokesbary, ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee and House Republican budget lead, issued a statement Thursday following the release of Gov. Jay Inslee's 2022 supplemental budget plan.

“Despite the continued toll of the pandemic, most sectors of Washington's economy are thriving. State revenue growth is the second strongest in the country and tax collections have doubled since their pre-Great Recession peak. As a result, the Legislature will enter the 2022 session with a four-year surplus of $8.8 billion, the highest in at least 20 years.

“At a time when the state is overwhelmed with cash, it is disappointing, though not surprising, to see that the governor's budget proposal does not include any tax relief for the families who have struggled through the pandemic and who are now experiencing the highest rate of inflation since 1982. Instead, the governor wants to spend our entire surplus on growing state government even more. I share his intentions regarding the homelessness crisis and salmon restoration, but his approaches have yet to make serious progress on these issues during his decade in office.

“Washingtonians cannot accept more of the same. We should not squander this generational opportunity. House Republicans will instead continue to fight to lower taxes for families across the state and insist on policies that produce results, not just more bureaucracy.”

###

Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov