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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The Legislature adjourned on time on Sunday, April 27, after a week in which Democrats rolled out and passed $9.5 billion in new taxes and fee—the the largest set of tax increases in state history. Now that I’ve had a chance to return to the 9th District and catch my breath, here is a brief review of the 2025 session.
Today’s newsletter is 833 words, a four-minute read.
Budgets
Operating budget: The Democrats’ operating budget will increase state spending to $77.9 billion, a $6 billion increase over current spending levels. This represents an 8% increase in the size of the operating budget. It is also the fourth consecutive operating budget that spends more than state expects to collect in revenue.
Republicans proposed an operating budget plan that would have prioritized funding for essential services without raising taxes. We fought hard for the working families of our state to keep government out of your pocketbooks. Unfortunately, Democrats shut us out of the budget process and negotiated taxes and spending in the final bills. We were given only 24 hours to review the Democrats’ 1,366-page budget document before taking a vote. I voted no.
- How Democrats will tax you
- Editorial: Ruling Democrats, your tax hikes come at a cost to all Washington residents | The Seattle Times
- Opinion Editorial from Rep. Mary Dye: What just happened
Yakima Valley School – In the final hours, we saved the Yakima Valley School in Selah from closure. Senate Bill 5393 sought to close the residential habilitation center for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as the Rainier School in Buckley, by June 30, 2027.
My late brother had severe disabilities, so I understand the fear and frustration of families whose loved ones in these homes face uncertainty with closure. I spoke out against these closures in the House Appropriations Committee. When Democrats ignored our pleas, Republicans walked out of the meeting in protest. The final compromise saves the Yakima Valley School, but halts further long-term admissions to Rainier, requiring it to close once there are no more residents to care for.
Transportation budget: The transportation budget will provide $15.5 billion. It relies on $3.2 billion in new taxes and fees. Starting July 1, the gas tax will rise from 49.4 cents to 55.4 cents per gallon.
Capital budget: The capital budget will spend $7.6 billion to support community projects across our state. Nearly $150 million is allocated for 9th District projects, including $44 million for the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Project (EL 22.1), and a $350,000 grant for disabilities compliancy for the new Colfax municipal pool. See the full project list here. Select 9th Legislative District.
- Money allocated for irrigation project north of I-90 (Columbia Basin Herald)
- Columbia Basin Project: Growing economic opportunity for Washington state through infrastructure investments
- Colfax mayor updates chamber on city projects (pool information) – Moscow-Pullman Daily News
Environment and Energy
As the ranking Republican on the House Environment and Energy Committee, my Republican team and I were up against many bad Democratic policy bills. We successfully fought against a bottle tax. We also stopped a bad environmental crimes bill that would have established Class B and Class C felonies against many productive businesses for simple errors, rather than holding state agencies accountable for mismanagement of state forests, waters and wildlife. Another noteworthy kill was an environmental justice bill that would have added complexity and costs to permitting. We had both wins and losses in this committee.
WINS (Good bills that passed)
- House Bill 1293: Increases litter penalties, delays the increases in the plastic bag fee.
- House Bill 1670: Requires the Department of Ecology to publicize local sewage spills.
- House Bill 1912: Extends until 2030 the tax exemption for fuel used for on-road transportation of agricultural products.
- Senate Bill 5033: Requires local testing of municipal wastewater treatment plant biosolids for PFAS chemicals.
LOSSES (Bad bills that passed)
- House Bill 1409: Increases the fuel carbon intensity reduction standard, raising the cost of gas and diesel.
- House Bill 1462: Prohibits selling certain refrigerants, which will likely increase food storage costs for agricultural producers and grocers.
- Senate Bill 5284: Effectively taxes groceries (increasing food prices) by requiring plastic and paper packaging producers to pay fees to a nonprofit to manage a new recycling system.
Please stay in touch!
Although the session is finished, I work for you throughout the year. Please contact my office with any questions, comments or suggestions about state government, the Legislature and issues you care about. Thank you for the honor of allowing me to serve and represent you!
Sincerely,
Mary Dye
