(The Center Square) – They didn’t get to see him in person, but on Friday, executives from Washington Policy Center delivered letters signed by nearly 30,000 Washingtonians to the office of Gov. Bob Ferguson, urging him to reject a budget that would increase taxes on Washingtonians.
“In a perfect world we would have liked to have had some one-on-one time with the governor and really encourage him to keep on the path that he’s been on in terms of pushing back on the legislature as it looks at overburdening and overtaxing Washingtonians,” said WPC President and CEO Steve Hatting just outside the governor’s office Friday in an interview with The Center Square.
WPC attempted to schedule a time to see Ferguson initially on Thursday, then again Friday, but was told he was busy.
WPC posted the letter and urged supporters to sign on. Between Apr. 4 and Apr. 25, nearly 30,000 people signed the letter.
“Thank you for taking a stand and refusing to sign a budget with a legally questionable and economically destructive tax on innovators. This was the right decision for the future of our state. We need innovators and high-tech firms to choose Washington as the place to grow and enrich our communities and our state,” the letter stated.
Gov. Ferguson has publicly stated he would not support a budget that includes a so called ‘wealth’ tax, nor would he sign a budget that drains the state’s rainy-day fund. However, he has not detailed his position on several other large tax proposals included in majority Democrats budget proposals including property tax hikes, business and occupation tax increases, gas tax hikes, a payroll tax and a sales tax increase, among many others.
“If you look at the business tax climate, we’re fifth worse and it’s only going to go down from there,” said Hatting. “We can’t afford that. The roads are a problem, the schools are abysmal. We’re spending more and more money and getting fewer positive outcomes.”
Hatting said their hope is that Ferguson will hold the line when the budget reaches his desk.
“The great thing is that with this governor, it’s a fresh start after a decade of decline and the decisions that he makes in the next few days and weeks could really set a tone for Washington and put us back on a path to prosperity,” said Hatting.
WPC’s Chief Operating Officer Dan Cole was with Hatting on Friday as they brought the petitions to Ferguson’s office, which were delivered to a staff member instead of Ferguson.
“Washingtonians are stretched thin, and we know that. We’ve heard the governor echo that in different ways, so we just want to support him in making wise decisions,” said Cole. “It’s ultimately just asking him to take a no-new-taxes approach.”
WPC’s letter states: “The general fund operating budget (NGF-O) increased from $33.6 billion in the 2013-15 biennium to $71.9 billion in the 2023-25 biennium – an increase of 51% even after accounting for inflation and population growth…..Washington needs a break – a course-correction toward responsible, accountable governance. We respectfully urge you to use your influence—and your veto, if necessary—to advance a budget that reflects these values and the people who are already struggling with the cost of living.”
The legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on Sunday, Apr. 27.