Washington families are already drowning in sky-high housing costs, gas prices, and everyday expenses. Yet Governor Bob Ferguson just delivered another brutal blow: signing what critics rightly call the largest tax increase in state history, even as his own salary jumped by 7%. This is classic big-government hypocrisy—politicians feasting at the public trough while forcing working families and homeowners to foot the bill. As a conservative who believes in limited government, fiscal responsibility, and letting people keep more of what they earn, this travesty demands fierce opposition.
In May 2025, Ferguson signed the biennial budget (Senate Bill 5167) and a package of tax hikes totaling billions. The $77.8 billion budget represents a 6.5% spending increase over the prior biennium—far outpacing inflation and population growth—while layering on new and higher taxes. Key culprits include Business & Occupation (B&O) tax hikes (HB 2081), sales tax expansions to services (SB 5814), capital gains and estate tax increases (SB 5813), and more.
Property taxes stand out as a direct assault on homeowners. HB 2049 dramatically boosts local school districts’ levy authority by about 55% over time, allowing significantly higher property tax collections if voters approve in districts. While the broad 1% annual growth cap on property taxes wasn’t fully tripled as initially proposed, this bill effectively opens the floodgates for local spikes disguised as “education investment.” Washington Policy Center and others have slammed it as contributing to the overall tax burden explosion, undermining voter-approved limits like Initiative 747 from 2001 that capped annual increases at 1% to protect families.
This comes at a time when Ferguson and other top officials received a 7% pay raise (on top of a prior bump), pushing the governor’s salary to roughly $234,275—about $30,000 more than when he took office in 2025. While set by a citizens’ commission, the optics are abysmal: elected leaders enriching themselves amid “challenging” budgets filled with tax grabs and service cuts. Taxpayers aren’t getting raises to match inflation, let alone 7%. Why should politicians?
Groups like the Washington Policy Center have documented how these hikes crush small businesses and economic growth. Their analysis shows the budget and tax package prioritize spending over efficiency, ignoring principles of competition and accountability. A related study projects slowed GDP growth and billions in lost wages. The Washington Freedom Foundation and similar watchdogs consistently highlight how such policies expand government at the expense of liberty and prosperity.
Let’s Go Washington and conservative activists are fighting back hard, gathering signatures for initiatives to repeal income and capital gains taxes, pushing back against the broader tax-and-spend agenda. Their efforts underscore widespread outrage and a desire for voter-driven reform.
Possible lawsuits are already in play or anticipated. Challenges to related tax measures—like the new income tax and capital gains hikes—have been filed by groups including Let’s Go Washington and the Freedom Foundation, arguing unconstitutionality under Washington’s limits on income taxes or other provisions. Similar legal pushback could target property tax expansions if they circumvent voter protections or statutory caps. Homeowners and businesses should watch for suits contesting HB 2049’s impacts or broader budget overreach, potentially arguing violations of taxpayer rights or improper delegation. Past precedents show courts scrutinizing such fiscal maneuvers closely!
This isn’t governance—it’s predation. Ferguson and Democrats claim these funds address “needs” in education and services, but bloated spending, inefficiency, and failed progressive experiments prove otherwise. Washington ranks poorly in business climate partly due to this tax onslaught. Families face higher rents (as costs pass through), businesses flee or raise prices, and seniors on fixed incomes get squeezed out of their homes!
Conservatives have long warned that unchecked government growth leads here: politicians insulating their own compensation while hiking burdens on producers. The solution? Relentless pressure via ballots, initiatives, and accountability. Support organizations like Washington Policy Center, Washington Freedom Foundation, and Let’s Go Washington. Demand spending restraint, tax relief, and term limits. Contact legislators. Vote like your wallet depends on it—because it does!
Washingtonians built this state through hard work and innovation, not government extraction. It’s time to reclaim fiscal sanity before the tax machine devours what’s left of affordability and opportunity. Enough is enough!
References
Washington Policy Center. (2025, May 20). Governor Ferguson signs the largest tax increase in Washington’s history into law. https://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/detail/governor-ferguson-signs-the-largest-tax-increase-in-washingtons-history-into-law
Washington State Standard. (2026). Washington governor, AG and state lawmakers get 7% pay hikes. https://washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/washington-governor-ag-and-state-lawmakers-get-7-pay-hikes/
House Republicans WA. (n.d.). The largest tax increase in state history: How Democrats are taxing you. https://houserepublicans.wa.gov/how-democrats-are-taxing-you/
