On Dec. 18, House Republican budget leader Rep. Travis Couture introduced his “Affordability First” budget framework, designed to solve the budget deficit without raising taxes or affecting important services like K-12 education.
Couture’s plan identifies nearly $4 billion in savings, restores spending limits tied to inflation and population growth, boosts tax relief for working families, requires zero-based budgeting so agencies justify every dollar, and requires independent audits to eliminate waste and abuse.
His plan also protects food assistance for seniors, veterans, foster youth, and working Washingtonians facing homelessness, while streamlining Medicaid eligibility to prevent coverage gaps and lowering health care premiums.
Background: State Democrats passed $9.2 billion in new taxes in 2025 – the largest in state history. Looking ahead to the 2026 session, House Democrats have already introduced a new multi-billion-dollar statewide payroll tax.
