Barkis Breakdown: Tax hikes, pension sweeps, and budget fights скачать в хорошем качестве

Barkis Breakdown: Tax hikes, pension sweeps, and budget fights

In this latest Barkis Breakdown, Rep. Andrew Barkis reads directly from constituent emails as lawmakers enter the final 13 days of session. Barkis shares messages from 2nd District residents who say Washington does not have a revenue problem — it has a spending problem — and warn that the so-called “millionaire tax” being advanced by Democrats will not stop with millionaires. He also highlights strong concerns about sweeping hundreds of millions of dollars from the LEOFF 1 pension fund to balance the budget, even as overall spending increases by $2.2 billion. Constituents argue those pension funds were paid into by first responders and should not be redirected to backfill other state spending. At the same time, Barkis questions why Climate Commitment Act dollars collected at the gas pump were not directed to transportation this year. He reiterates his proposal to use those funds for roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure, including beginning the replacement process for the Fairfax Bridge after what he describes as years of delayed maintenance that left residents effectively stranded. On housing policy, Barkis discusses the defeat of House Bill 2489, a bill that would have restricted local governments’ ability to remove dangerous homeless encampments. He argues the focus should be on addressing mental health and addiction, not rolling back tools that communities are using to restore safety and order. As session winds down and final budget votes approach, Barkis emphasizes that constituent voices are shaping the debate in Olympia and urges residents to stay engaged during the final stretch.