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May 2, 2025

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The 105-day 2025 legislative session is now in the rearview mirror. Before I go into all the details, I want to offer my condolences to Sen. Chris Gildon and his family. On the last weekend of the session, we received news that his wife, Autumn Gildon, passed suddenly. I was so saddened to hear this news. Please pray for the Gildon family as you feel led.

The last three and a half months have been full of long days and nights, and hundreds of votes on the House floor. Last Sunday, we concluded our work, but not before the majority party passed the largest tax increase in state history. Before I review those taxes and the final operating budget numbers, I want to start with the capital budget, which is a much different story.

Capital Budget Wins for the 25th District

The capital budget, which is primarily funded through bond sales and focuses on long-term physical investments such as public schools, water systems, and community facilities, includes some big wins for our neighborhoods and communities. The final budget spends $7.6 billion, with more than $25 million coming to the 25th District, including:

• $6.5 million for the Clear Creek Floodplain reconnection project.
• $5 million for Climate Adaptation Pass-through grants for the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
• $3.5 million for small district and STEC Schools modernization program.
• $3 million for the Puyallup Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab facility.
• $2 million for the new Puyallup Health Center.
• $$1.5 million for the TR Pipeline Trail phase 2 – Fruitland to NCT-Heritage.
• $919,000 for the Meridian Habitat Park Community Nature Center.
• $773,000 for the 4th St NW Stormwater improvement project.

These projects represent input we’ve received from local agencies and residents and are important to you and our community. For a complete list of our local projects included in the final budget, click here and select “Proposed Compromise” in the “version” menu and the 25th Legislative District in the “district” menu. Then, hit the “View Report” button.

State Increases Operating Budget Spending Again by Adding More Taxes

While I voted in favor of the capital budget, I cannot say the same for the operating budget. The majority party passed a budget that increases state spending to almost $78 billion, representing a $6 billion increase over current state spending levels, an 8% increase in budget size. And worst of all, the majority party voted to help fund this budget by passing more than $9.5 billion in new and increased taxes.

Let me be clear, the state is not at a deficit. Our tax revenue continues to increase year over year. Unfortunately, the majority party continues spending at a level that outpaces revenue growth. State government needs to stop spending more than it has. The $9.5 billion in new taxes represents the largest tax increase in state history. These are some of the most significant new taxes, but there are many more, including other bills that allow local government entities to raise taxes.

• House Bill 2049 | Property tax increase. A 55% increase in local school district property tax levy authority.
• House Bill 2081 | Business and occupation (B&O) tax increases. B&O tax increases and additional punitive surcharges on certain industries.
• House Bill 2077 | Tesla tax. Excise taxes on the sale or banking of zero-emission credits held by Tesla.
• Senate Bill 5814 | Sales tax expansion. Applies sales tax to critical business services, including temporary staffing, digital services, and security services, and applies tobacco taxes to nicotine products used for smoking cessation.
• Senate Bill 5813 | Capital gains income and estate taxes. Increases tax rates for capital gains income and estate taxes.
• Senate Bill 5794 | Eliminating tax incentives. Eliminates tax incentives for gold and bullion, low-income energy credits, and storage spaces.

State government must stop overspending while passing the bill onto Washingtonians. People struggle to make ends meet, and these new taxes will hurt those who can afford it the least. Even the media agrees.

• Editorial: Ruling Democrats, your tax hikes come at a cost to all WA residents -The Seattle Times
• Editorial: Gov. Ferguson, scrub the budget carefully – The Seattle Times
• Editorial: Ferguson weighs risky approach to bottom line – The Columbian

Below are some links to some of my videos regarding the new taxes, and some of my floor and committee speeches arguing against them.

• Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen explains why the majority party should not be trying to add new taxes
• Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen speaks about the many potentially devastating budget cuts by the House majority
• Reps. Cyndy Jacobsen and Jim Walsh break down the majority party’s massive new tax proposals
• Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen opposes funding the state budget by increasing the capital gains income tax
• Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen speaks in committee against a proposal that would allow property tax increases

Transportation Budget Comes with Additional Taxes

In addition to the taxes to fund the operating budget, the transportation budget includes more new taxes that will impact all Washingtonians. This budget will spend $15.5 billion, including $1 billion in Climate Commitment Act funding and $3.2 billion in new revenue. It’s also missing the House proposal to save $1 billion in reserves over six years. That is bad planning.

The largest investments include: WSDOT ($11.8 billion); Washington State Ferries ($1.7 billion); Washington State Patrol ($758 million); public transportation ($753 million); and the Department of Licensing ($446 million).

While this budget includes funding for many important projects, it still relies on $3.2 billion in new taxes and fees, including a $.06 per mile gas tax increase, and two additional 3-cent increases in diesel fuel taxes, plus an inflation increase every year. Raising diesel fuel prices will increase the costs of everything we buy, and that’s on top of the price increases resulting from raising B&O taxes on our businesses. This will be another gut-punch to many people who are barely getting by.

This budget includes over $959 million for projects affecting the 25th District, including $902 million for the SR 167/SR 509 Puget Sound Gateway freeway over the next two years. However, raising taxes now will hurt too many people, so I voted against the budget and the tax increases and fees that come with it.

Thank You, and Continue Reaching Out

Now that we head into the interim, I want to remind you that I’m still your representative year-round, so please continue reaching out. Thank you for your support. I look forward to meeting with you in the 25th District throughout the coming months.

It’s an honor to serve you.

Sincerely,

Cyndy Jacobsen