Local leaders call for new revenue

68 local elected officials signed a letter urging the State Legislature & Governor Bob Ferguson to pass new revenue to fund essential services

OLYMPIA, WA (March 28, 2025) — As budget negotiations heat up in the Legislature, local elected officials are calling for new revenue, both to fund essential services and to rework a century-old tax code out of step with the modern state of Washington.

In a letter sent to the Governor, House, and Senate leaders Wednesday, officials offered support for progressive state revenue such as an Intangibles Tax, a Statewide Payroll Tax, and Large Corporation B&O Premium tax, necessary new revenue from those who can most afford it.

But the looming budget shortfall facing the state coffers is only part of the problem. Localities are facing budget woes themselves, even in the richest parts of the state. For example, the most populous and wealthiest county in Washington — King County — is facing a $150 million shortfall of it’s own in the 2026-27 biennial budget.

That’s why the letter also calls for passage of local revenue bills like HB 1334 to lift the 1% property tax cap, SB 5775 to provide councilmanic authority for the 3/10ths percent public safety sales tax, and HB 2015 the local option 1/10th percent sales tax to fund critical criminal justice support.

“As local elected officials from across the state, we know firsthand how our regressive and outdated tax code hampers our ability to serve our constituents,” reads the open letter. “Our tax code hasn’t been significantly updated in 100 years. While our statewide population has grown significantly, we are not collecting enough revenue for the investments needed to support our communities and economy, including funding for infrastructure, housing and human services, public health, and public safety, to name a few.”

Signatories include elected leaders across Washington, including Jefferson County Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour, Spokane City Councilmembers Paul Dillon & Zack Zappone, Vancouver Councilmember Ty Stober, and city, county, and port officials throughout the Puget Sound region.

With a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall and uncertainty at the federal level, these elected leaders join a chorus of working families demanding that corporations and the ultrawealthy pay their fair share to fund the essential public services that every Washingtonian relies on, from blue collar workers to billionaires.