VIDEO | Rep. Stephanie Barnard: The future of innovation vs. new tax schemes in Washington state
Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, provides an update from Olympia following the House of Origin cutoff, the critical deadline by which bills must pass their originating chamber to remain active. While this cutoff narrows the legislative field, it also pulls back the curtain on the Democrat majority’s true priorities for Washington state.
The Senate is currently advancing Senate Bill 6346, described as a “millionaires tax,” but which actually builds the administrative machinery and bureaucracy necessary to track and tax personal income. History suggests that once this door is opened, the tax threshold is frequently lowered to capture the middle class and small business owners. Implementing such a system threatens Washington’s economic competitiveness, signaling to the next generation of innovators that their ideas may be better off in states like Texas or Florida.
While these tax schemes move forward, several key economic development bills died at the cutoff. These include House Joint Memorial 4016, which sought to position the Tri-Cities as a global leader in nuclear innovation by hosting a new campus for nuclear lifecycle innovation. Additionally, my legislation to establish a state strategy for quantum computing and the “MATCHED” bill to help local communities secure federal research grants were ignored.
Barnard remains committed to fighting against an income tax and advocating for the projects that build a more prosperous future for the 8th District.
