If you felt like things are getting more expensive in Washington, you’re not imagining it.
During the 2026 legislative session, Olympia didn’t just pass one tax increase. Lawmakers approved multiple policies that raise taxes, shift tax burdens, and expand future taxing authority. Some are obvious. Others are buried in technical language but still hit your wallet.
For families in the 24th Legislative District these changes matter. A lot.
Let’s break it down in plain English.
The Big Picture: It’s Not Just “One Tax”
This session used three major strategies:
- New taxes
- Removing tax breaks (which quietly raises taxes)
- Shifting who pays, rather than reducing costs
That last one is key. A “tax break” for one group often means someone else pays more.
1. SB 6346
The New Income Tax
Washington now has a 9.9% income tax on earnings over $1 million.
Supporters say it targets the wealthy. But here’s the reality:
- It opens the door to income taxation in Washington
- It creates a new revenue stream that can expand over time
- It impacts investment, business growth, and job creation
👉 Why it matters to LD24
Even if you don’t make $1M:
- Small business owners, investors, and employers drive rural economies
- When they get taxed more, investment slows and costs rise locally
2. SB 6162
Property Taxes: The “Shift” Most People Won’t Notice… At First
This bill was framed as tax relief. But it comes with a catch.
It shifts tens of millions in tax burden onto other property owners.
In simple terms:
- Some people pay less
- Others pay more to make up the difference
👉 Why it matters to LD24
- Rural homeowners already face rising property values
- Limited housing supply means higher tax pressure spreads quickly
- Fixed-income residents may feel squeezed even more over time
This is one of the most important hidden impacts of the session.
3. SB 6231
Removing Tax Breaks = Higher Costs Downstream
This bill removes tax exemptions for data centers.
That may sound distant, but here’s what happens:
- Higher operating costs for infrastructure
- Costs get passed down through:
- Utilities
- Cloud services
- Business operations
👉 Why it matters to LD24
Local businesses rely on digital tools.
When costs rise upstream, prices rise downstream.
4. HB 2089
More Taxes on Lending = More Expensive Housing
This expands B&O taxes on certain mortgage lenders.
That means:
- Higher lending costs
- Tighter margins
- Increased rates or fees
👉 Why it matters to LD24
- Housing is already tight in our area
- This can make:
- Buying harder
- Refinancing more expensive
- Development slower
5. HB 2442
Local Governments Now Have More Power to Tax
This is a big one that hasn’t fully hit yet.
The bill allows:
- New local sales taxes
- New property tax levies
- Expanded flexibility outside normal limits
👉 Why it matters to LD24
- Counties and cities now have more tools to raise revenue locally
- That means your:
- Sales tax could go up
- Property taxes could increase further
- And it happens closer to home, where you feel it fastest
6. HB 1960
New Energy Taxes
This creates new taxes on renewable energy projects.
Sounds like it targets industry, but:
- Energy costs don’t stay at the source
- They get passed to consumers
👉 Why it matters to LD24
- Rural areas often host energy projects
- You could see:
- Higher utility costs
- More pressure on land use
- Fewer incentives for affordable development
The Real Impact: Death by a Thousand Cuts
None of these changes alone tells the full story.
But together?
They create a compounding effect:
- Higher cost of living
- Increased housing pressure
- More expensive utilities
- Slower economic growth in rural communities
And the biggest issue:
👉 Many of these changes are indirect
👉 Which means people don’t notice until it’s too late
Why This Matters More in LD24 Than Seattle
Urban areas may absorb these costs differently.
But in LD24:
- Wages are lower on average
- Costs of goods are already higher due to distance
- Fewer employers means less economic cushion
That means every tax shift hits harder here.
Why Paying Attention Matters
These policies don’t just affect “the wealthy” or “big corporations.”
They shape:
- The price of groceries
- The cost to heat your home
- Your property tax bill
- Whether small businesses survive
If people don’t stay informed:
- Policies pass quietly
- Costs rise gradually
- And accountability disappears
Questions Every Resident Should Be Asking
- If this is “tax relief,” why are others paying more?
- If businesses are taxed more, who actually absorbs that cost?
- If local governments can raise taxes more easily, what safeguards exist?
- Why are indirect taxes used instead of transparent ones?
Final Thought
This session wasn’t about one headline tax.
It was about reshaping how Washington collects money.
And whether you realize it now or later…
👉 You will feel it.