Rep. Stephanie Barnard issues statement on her ‘no’ vote on the passage of state income tax bill
CONTACT: Jennifer Hansen, Senior Public Information Officer | 360-786-7720
Rep. Stephanie Barnard issues statement on her ‘no’ vote on the passage of state income tax bill
The Washington State Legislature has passed Senate Bill 6346, establishing a state income tax. The sweeping measure fundamentally alters Washington’s tax structure and advances after a non-stop 24-hour debate on the House floor.
The bill levies a 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million. It grants the exact same $1 million deduction to single filers and married couples alike, creating a clear marriage penalty. The passage of this legislation comes despite a century of state court precedent requiring the uniform taxation of property, which has historically been interpreted to include income. By establishing the bureaucratic framework and tax code for an income tax, the bill paves the way for broader taxation on working families in the future.
After the bill’s passage by a vote of 51-46, Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, issued the following statement.
“Washington has always been a state that wins by dreaming big. From aerospace to the tech that runs our modern world, our success comes from being a place where people feel confident investing in the future. But that kind of innovation can’t happen without stability. By locking in a permanent state income tax, the Legislature is trading away the very competitive advantage we’ve spent generations building.
“We are currently in a fierce global race for talent and investment. When states provide a predictable environment, they attract tomorrow’s industries and jobs. When they introduce long-term uncertainty, they risk watching those opportunities move elsewhere. This isn’t just a problem for big business; when those opportunities shrink, the consequences ripple through our entire economy, affecting every small business and every neighborhood.
“The real danger is that history shows us a troubling pattern: an income tax that starts on a few is almost always a precursor to an income tax on everyone. Once this massive tax machinery is built, it is only a matter of time before the brackets shift and the thresholds are lowered, eventually pulling middle-class families into its reach.
“This is especially concerning because so many families across our state are already at a breaking point. With housing costs climbing and our gas and energy prices remaining among the highest in the country, Washingtonians were looking to their government for relief. Instead, the majority chose to create an entirely new tax system that many legal experts believe is fundamentally unconstitutional because it seeks to redefine income in a way that would bypass our state’s long-standing legal protections for taxpayers.
“House Republicans tried to offer a better path. We brought forward over 53 amendments designed to provide immediate, tangible relief. We fought to lower the state sales tax, exempt everyday essentials like prepared food and hygiene products, and protect the retirement income of our seniors. We even introduced measures to secure funding for maternal healthcare and child safety. Unfortunately, every single one of those proposals — solutions that would have helped families right now — was rejected.
“Perhaps the most disappointing part of this process is the lack of public accountability. Washington voters have rejected an income tax ten times at the ballot box. Rather than respecting that history, this legislation includes a ‘necessity clause’ specifically designed to deny people their right to a referendum. This is a dark moment for our state. Our focus should be on making life more affordable and keeping our economy strong, but this vote moves us in the exact opposite direction.”
