To: Washington State House and Senate
Tell the WA Legislature: Slash Billionaire Greed, Not Working Families!
Dear Washington State Legislators,
We are writing to urge you to reject harmful cuts in Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year and instead advance a fair, balanced approach that prioritizes tax fairness, support for small businesses, and relief for working families. Washington’s upside-down tax code asks the most of those with the least, relying heavily on sales taxes and other regressive revenue sources that strain household budgets and local economies.
There is a better way to balance the budget: by finally requiring those with more to pay their fair share while protecting investments that strengthen our economy.
Specifically, we strongly urge you to pass the Millionaire’s Tax (HB 2724/SB 6346), the Well Washington Fund tax on wealthy corporations (HB 2100/SB 6093), and a wealth tax on those with assets in excess of $50 million (HB 2046/SB 5797).
New, progressive revenue would allow Washington to expand the Working Families Tax Credit, provide meaningful sales tax relief, and invest in the infrastructure that small businesses rely on to thrive. When working families have more disposable income, they spend locally. By contrast, cutting essential services or shifting more costs onto consumers further squeezes families and slows economic growth.
Washington’s current tax structure disproportionately burdens low- and middle-income households, who pay a far higher share of their income in state and local taxes than the wealthiest residents. This is neither fair nor sustainable. A modernized, progressive revenue system would create long-term budget stability while reducing pressure on property owners, consumers, and small business operators.
Every dollar raised through fair taxation is a dollar that can prevent cuts, stabilize public investments, and provide targeted relief to those who need it most. We urge you to choose tax fairness and to prioritize policies that lower costs for working families, strengthen small businesses, and build a more equitable economy for all Washingtonians.
Why is this important?
Washington cannot build a strong, stable economy on an upside-down tax code. Yet Governor Ferguson’s budget proposal relies heavily on deep cuts rather than addressing the root problem: a revenue system that asks proportionally more of working families and small businesses than it does of the ultra-wealthy. That approach shifts costs onto those least able to afford them and undermines long-term economic growth.
Right now, the Governor’s budget includes $322 million in cuts to child care and early learning. When the state pulls back from essential investments, the financial burden doesn’t disappear—it lands on working families, small businesses, and local communities. Parents face higher costs, reduced access, or lost wages. Small businesses struggle when employees cannot secure reliable care. Providers lose critical supports, including a proposed 50 percent reduction in professional development. These ripple effects compound Washington’s affordability challenges and weaken our local economies.
Meanwhile, our regressive tax structure continues to rely heavily on sales taxes and other mechanisms that disproportionately impact low- and middle-income households. That is neither equitable nor sustainable.
There is a better way to balance the budget: modernize our tax code and generate new, progressive revenue by ensuring the wealthiest individuals and corporations contribute their fair share through the Millionaire’s Tax (HB 2724/SB 6346), the Well Washington Fund (HB 2100/SB 6093), and a wealth tax on individuals with more than $50 million in assets (HB 2046/SB 5797).
Every dollar raised through fair taxation is a dollar that can protect essential services, expand the Working Families Tax Credit, provide sales tax relief, and stabilize the public investments that allow businesses and communities to thrive.
Tell the Washington State House and Senate: choose tax fairness over harmful cuts. Balance the state budget equitably with progressive revenue, strengthen working families, and create a tax system that supports Washington's economic future!
