Washington’s 2026 legislative session is about to start, and the big issues are already on the table: taxes, spending, affordability, and whether Olympia will make the hard choices or reach for more revenue again.
In this legislative preview, our expert researchers walk through what we’re watching this session and what it means for families, employers, and anyone feeling the squeeze of higher costs.
We cover everything from taxes we’re likely to see brought forward to educational opportunities, and how you can help make your voice heard on both through our Take Action page at https://washingtonpolicy.org/takeaction
00:00 – Todd Myers: Preview + how to engage
02:02 – Paul Guppy: Budget narrative + spending/taxes
07:14 – Chris Corry: “Tax the rich” + taxpayer outflow
11:57 – Ryan Frost: Since-2019 taxes + new proposals
18:12 – Todd Myers: CCA costs + Ecology data error
24:13 – Mark Harmsworth: Small business + tax/regulation
29:06 – Todd Myers: “Millionaires tax” won’t stay narrow
30:24 – Elizabeth New: Payroll taxes + worker/health policy
36:12 – Todd Myers: Education setup
37:14 – Vicki Murray: Federal scholarship tax credit + WA opt-in
43:15 – Dave Boze: Q&A prompts
43:40 – Todd Myers: Q&A answers + wrap
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