Rep. Stephanie Barnard speaks against B&O tax hikes: ‘You can’t tax yourself into prosperity’
Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, draws from her years in economic development to speak out against Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2081, warning that proposed B&O tax increases will hurt Washington’s small and midsize businesses. Citing years of surveys with local business leaders, she highlights that the number one concern year after year has been the B&O tax—and that raising it now would force employers to consider layoffs, cancel pay raises, and delay growth. Barnard says, “You can’t tax yourself into prosperity.”
