News

More than $108 million has been refunded to Washington families through the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC).   The WFTC (House Bill 1297) is a sales and use tax remittance rebate to support working families who pay a disproportionate amount of their income in taxes. It is designed to put up to $1,200 per year back in the pockets of nearly 400,000 taxpayers, helping to balance Washington’s upside-down tax code.   One in six Washington households is eligible for the tax credit and one in four children will directly benefit from the ...

OLYMPIA – The Senate Democratic Caucus today voted to confirm committee membership positions for the 2024 legislative session. Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett) was selected to serve as chair of the Ways & Means Committee. Robinson had served as vice chair of the committee since 2020. Sen. Joe Nguyễn (D-White Center) will now serve as vice chair of the committee while Sen. Emily Randall (D-Bremerton) joins Ways & Means and comes off of Transportation. Sen. Drew Hansen, who was appointed to the Senate in August, joins three committees. Hansen (D-Bainbridge Island) will serve on Higher Education & Workforce Development, Labor ...

Sen. June Robinson (D-Everett) was elected chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee following a vote of the Senate Democratic Caucus on Thursday.  “I am honored to have the trust of the Senate Democratic Caucus in being chosen for this key position and feel well prepared to step into this role, given my knowledge of the issues and experience writing and negotiating state budgets,” Robinson said.  “Washington state has a healthy economy. We have shown time and again through hard work and innovation our state is leading the way. That said, there ...

Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) and Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig (D-Spokane) offered the following statement on their decision not to meet in special session to reconvene the redistricting commission: “We are committed to the goals of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). The plaintiffs made their case in court, and the US District Court for Western Washington found that the existing maps do not meet the standard set by the VRA. Now, voters in the Yakima Valley are entitled to fair and timely legislative maps. “The most expedient and non-political way to move forward is for the ...

PORT ORCHARD – Rep. Drew Hansen (D-Bainbridge Island) has been appointed to represent the 23^rd Legislative District in the Washington State Senate. Hansen, who has served in the state House of Representatives since 2011, was selected to fill the open seat following a vote of the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday. Hansen replaces Christine Rolfes, who resigned last week to fill a vacant seat on the commission. “I’m grateful to be able to continue serving our community in the Senate,” Hansen said. “It’s been an extraordinary honor to serve in the House for the past decade and ...

OLYMPIA – Budget leaders in the Washington State Senate responded to news that the state has maintained its historically high ratings from the nation’s top credit agencies. Reports from Moody’s (Aaa), S&P (AA+) and Fitch (AA+) cited the state’s strong governance practices, sound reserves, a broad and growing economy, and a commitment to fiscal balance. The agencies also highlighted Washington’s fiscal management and forecasting system among the reasons for the strong credit ratings in their latest assessments. The high credit ratings allow Washington to obtain low-interest rates and issue bonds to refinance existing obligations for public projects. Senate leaders ...

HOW ARE GAS PRICES DETERMINED?

• 57% of what consumers pay for a gallon of gas is for crude oil
• 18% for refining
• 12% for distribution and marketing
• 13% for taxes

• Demand
• Refinery production
• Maintenance
• Local, regional, global impacts