Town hall meeting tomorrow night; House Republicans propose $1 billion in tax relief

February 26, 2020

Tomorrow evening from 6:30-8 p.m., Rep. Dan Griffey and I will be holding a town hall meeting at Oakland Bay Junior High School in Shelton (3301 N. Shelton Springs Rd). During the meeting, which will be held in the commons area, we’ll provide a short update on the session and then take your questions.

One of the topics we’ll be discussing is our state’s $2.4 billion budget surplus. While the majority party is looking to spend every dime of this surplus, Rep. Griffey and I have joined with our House Republican colleagues in sponsoring a bill that would provide $1 billion in tax relief for you and your family. House Bill 2946 would:

  • Implement $30 car tabs and redirect 1/3 of vehicle sales tax to transportation accounts ($726M)
  • Exempt all food sold at grocery stores from sales tax ($149M)
  • Exempt diapers, feminine hygiene products and breast pumps from sales tax ($68M)

Along with this proposal, House Republicans have introduced bills to reduce the state property tax and reaffirm the prohibition of local income taxes. I also introduced a number of tax reform bills last session:

House Bill 1677 would exempt a business’s first $1 million in gross sales from the state’s B&O tax to give them the flexibility—and time—to grow.

House Bill 1420 would lower the manufacturing B&O tax rate for all manufacturers by 40 percent to incentivize them to stay here in Washington, hire more people, and expand their operations.

House Bill 1090 would offer stability and predictability for homeowners ages 65 years and older by capping the property tax rate on the first $250,000 of their homes’ value.

House Bill 1559 would create a three-day sales tax holiday for purchasing back-to-school clothing and supplies.

A variety of other tax relief proposals have been introduced as well. The bottom line is House Republicans want to put more money in your pocket, while the majority party wants to continue their tax-and-spend agenda. Instead of constantly asking you for more, I believe we should deliver the $30 car tabs voters approved and provide significant tax relief for you and your family. That’s what I’ll be advocating for during these last 16 days of session.

It is an honor to serve you. And I hope to see you at the town hall tomorrow!