The most important work we do in Olympia is to ensure Washington’s 1.1 million students have the resources they need.
However, there are many additional important and worthy programs also in need of state resources — providing health care, building housing, ensuring public safety, safe roads, clean air and water, and the list goes on and on.
Rising costs from tariffs, health care cuts and other impacts from the federal government, coupled with our state’s nearly century-old tax structure are making it impossible to keep up with the needs of Washington families. In our state, households with income in the bottom 20% pay 13.8% of their total income in taxes, while those with income in the top one percent pay only 4.1%. Only Florida has a more regressive tax structure than Washington.
That is why I support the Millionaires Tax. This proposed law would provide more money for schools, health care and other programs that help make our state such a great place to live. Additionally, it will start to fix our broken tax structure by cutting sales taxes and taxes for small businesses across our state and expand the Working Families Tax Credit, which helps out thousands of Washington families struggling to get by.
Here are a few things to keep in mind about the Millionaires Tax. If your household makes $1 million or less in income per year, you won’t pay anything. It’s estimated that only 20,000-30,000 households in our state will pay the Millionaires Tax. For some prospective, there are approximately 3 million homes in our state. Less than 1% of them would pay the Millionaires Tax.
The Millionaires Tax will bring in about $3.7 billion annually. Again, that money will go toward things like schools, health care, public safety, and tax cuts.
I have heard some of the claims on the other side, the most consistent of which is that there will eventually be an income tax on all Washingtonians. There is ZERO support for a broad income tax. ZERO. I certainly don’t support that idea, and I don’t know of anyone who does.
Another claim is that everyone who would pay the Millionaires Tax will leave our state. I’m sure there’s anecdotal evidence that might support that claim, but actual data does not. Massachusetts passed a similar measure a few years ago, and not only have the wealthy stayed, the study showed more wealthy people live in the state than before. Wealthy folks also have an interest in living in a state where everyone can succeed and basic needs are met. There are only nine states without an income tax. It’s cynical to suggest that Washington’s lack of one is the only reason wealthy people live here.
There is still a long way to go to pass the Millionaires Tax, and there will certainly be changes to the bill along the way. I, for one, would like to see additional tax cuts that will provide even more relief for Washington families.
I have heard from both supporters and opponents of the Millionaires Tax and know there are passionate feelings on both sides of this issue. I hope that we can continue to have good discussions on this bill moving forward.
Thanks for a great week, Teig!
Recently, I had the opportunity to sponsor Teig Carlson as a Senate page.
Teig is a 10th grader at Port Angeles High School and is an active member of the Honor Society. He also is a member of the tennis, soccer and sailing teams; participates in Knowledge Bowl, as well as FBLA and performs volunteer work.
Teig says his favorite part of his week-long experience in Olympia was delivering notes on the Senate floor during session and getting to play a small part in the legislative process.
We really appreciated seeing Teig in Olympia! There are so many steps in the legislative process and every single one – big or small – is so important.
The Senate page program is a great way for 14-16-year-olds from across our state to learn about the legislative process while assisting offices, working on the chamber floor, and experiencing many other aspects of the lawmaking process.
Applications are closed for the 2026 session, but please check back here at the end of the year to apply for the 2027 legislative session.
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Thank you for being such an essential part of our community and for your continued trust. It is an honor to serve you in Olympia.
Mike Chapman
