Mark Harmsworth

Recovering State Representative - citizen rights, less congestion, smaller efficient government. Conservative. Car guy. All with a British accent. #waleg #wagov

[Mark Harmsworth @markharm]

Yup - this happened.

[Congressman Michael Baumgartner @RepBaumgartner]

Very concerned about the economic future of our state. It’s particularly hard for Agriculture right now, and having the highest taxes in the country will really stress the tech ingenuity economy that has funds so much of our growth. We have some really cool companies expanding in E. Washington, but every single company I talk to mentions concerns about WA’s tax rates, environmental regulations and labor costs. I wish our voters had taken the opportunity to lower their gas taxes and reject an income tax over the last two elections. Obviously they didn’t and I’m sure the voters reasons were multi-faceted, but I hope Olympia’s lawmakers don’t take it as a sign that they can continue on their current path indefinitely. The Federal Government is $40T in debt and the idea that it can run 20% budget defense in perpetuity is going to soon face the cold hard wall of economic reality that is coming. Regardless of the federal $ windfall bailouts provided to the states during COVID and the resounding victory of the D’s in those weeks election, the reality is that the Fed Gov will have to ween states off of the cash rush - particularly given the critical situation of defense upgrades in a rapidly changing world of drone warfare swarms, nuclear proliferation and super intelligence weapons - all things America’s adversaries are pursuing with obsession. That fiscal reality may not come in the next two years, but you can be sure it is coming.

As a certain economist once said, “trends that can’t continue,won’t” and Washington state is on an unsustainable tax, spend and regulate path that is growing in difficulty for the businesses who’s tax revenue pays for our schools, roads and hospitals.

Or, maybe Elon is right and AI will usher in an era that ends all of our fiscal challenges and the growth of government can continue without fiscal concern….(but I wouldn’t count on it). 🇺🇸

[Mark Harmsworth @markharm]

@KIRO7Seattle on top of ST4 coming to a ballot box near you soon.

[Ryan Frost @Frost_RyanWPC]

It was as obvious then as it is now.

[Travis Couture @TravisSCouture]

For just over 136 years, Washington State has managed just fine without an income tax. In that time, we built one of the best state economies in the world, with companies other states are jealous of that provides great jobs and benefits.

A permanent state income tax that will apply to all of us in no time is an existential threat to our economy and to taxpayers, because after “the rich” move to avoid the tax, all that will be left is you, Democrats recklessly spending your money for little results, and with no meaningful tax relief.

Meanwhile, some states that do have an income tax are considering eliminating it so that they can usher in the capital that ours chases away. Other states that have income taxes also don’t have 7 other wallet busting taxes to pay.

It’s amazing to me sometimes that these clear facts are even partisan. Implementing this income tax in WA is not only unconstitutional, it’s economically illiterate and politically brain dead.

Why are the unions backing it with so much cash? Occam’s Razor my friends. Because it’s not to fund schools, healthcare, or anything other than to fund unions who turn around and spend millions on taking more from your wallet. I spend my days buried in our state budget, and this is clear as day to me. It’s clear as day to them too, except they aren’t honest about it, because honesty would lose.

Democrats and their media friends knowingly spread lies to strangle common sense to death in WA.

A yes vote on the initiative is a vote to protect our future from economic arsonists, socialism, fraud, corruption, and wasteful government spending.

[Let's Go Washington @letsgowa]

Why would they take away tax protections on public pensions if they didn't have intentions of taxing them?
Repeal the income tax. Protect public pensions. Vote yes on I-645.

[Jason Mercier @MercierOnPolicy]

Former Gov. Locke: ". . . pretty soon the voters are going to say, 'The promises are not being kept, and we're just being taxed like crazy.'" https://t.co/if0K8uQBTD #waleg

[Mark Harmsworth @markharm]

Ok, but what about promising also not to increase the 9.9% rate and veto any legislative change that increases it?

[MyNorthwest @Mynorthwest]

OPINION: Last week, Gov. Bob Ferguson made a promise on Facebook. “I’ve said it before many times, and will say it again, I will veto any attempt by the Legislature to lower the threshold below a million dollars.”
https://t.co/4ye2orrsn6

[Jonathan Choe @choeshow]

Seattle realestate is so cooked. And we aren’t even close to the bottom.
Thank socialist Mayor Katie Wilson and fellow WA Democrats.
Raise taxes, allow crime to flourish, then reasonable people leave.
At least now they are on their way to “affordable housing.”

[Ari Hoffman @thehoffather]

NEW: Democratic Rep Cindy Ryu admits her party plans to lower the threshold on the income tax from millionaires to everyone in WA state & that she wants to tax companies more

She told KUOW, "Let's look at less, about 250,000. Can we live well on$250,000 a year of net income?"

[Mark Harmsworth @markharm]

And let's see how fast the price of gas doesn't fall - Olympia is addicted to that revenue....

[Todd Myers 🐟🌲🐝 @WAPolicyGreen]

Good news! Washington’s CO2 allowance price fell from $64.46 to $39.50 per metric ton in the current auction.

That amounts to 31.6 cents per gallon - a drop of 20 cents per gallon from the last auction.

It is still 37% higher than the California price. 1/3 #waleg

[Mark Harmsworth @markharm]

Seattle businesses are done with the Seattle Mayor and the Council and want to see action - https://t.co/29syYMuI5U

[Mark Harmsworth @markharm]

@1BethDutton The medical is worth another 20-30k depending on if kids are on the plan.

[Jason Rantz on Seattle Red @jasonrantz]

Seattle Times tells voters to reject I-001, and Let’s Go Washington answers with a point by point takedown of the editorial https://t.co/8eWquCK5wX

[Todd Myers 🐟🌲🐝 @WAPolicyGreen]

Washington state elementary teachers have the highest median income - adjusted for cost of living - in the nation according to @USAFacts.

The median salary is 29% higher than in Oregon. #waleg

[Mark Harmsworth @markharm]

@Frost_RyanWPC https://t.co/IYhnJDMLw4

[Mark Harmsworth @markharm]

Multiple reasons that show the economic engine of Washington is leaving - https://t.co/IYhnJDMLw4

[Mark Harmsworth @markharm]

According to some media - everything is great, the real numbers however paint a different picture - https://t.co/JLl80sXQq6

[Mark Harmsworth @markharm]

Not going to end well - ask Chicago - https://t.co/kCYuKw1bpQ

[Breaking911 @Breaking911]

NYC Mayor Mamdani announced plans to open five city-run, taxpayer-funded grocery stores, saying prices would be set at 30% below retail.