Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I am excited to share some great news from Olympia: Senate Republicans have unveiled the $ave Washington budget—a responsible, balanced proposal that fully funds state government without raising taxes or making drastic cuts to essential services. As the Assistant Senate Republican operating budget leader, I’ve spent weeks working alongside my colleagues to craft a budget that prioritizes what matters most to Washington families.

For too long, Olympia has operated under the false premise that our only budget choices are massive tax increases or devastating cuts. But we’re proving there’s a third way—a responsible approach that makes government work smarter and protects taxpayers.

Responsible Budgeting, Real Solutions

Our $75.6 billion budget is a 5% increase from the current two-year spending plan, and it fully funds priorities like education, public safety, and services for vulnerable Washingtonians—without new taxes and without raiding the state’s rainy-day fund. How? By applying basic budgeting principles that every Washington family understands:

✅ Spending Smarter, Not Just Spending More – We are prioritizing core services, repurposing surplus funds, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. This includes a 10% reduction in middle management to cut waste and redirect funds where they are truly needed.

✅ Honoring Workers, While Staying Fiscally Responsible – Instead of unaffordable pay raises negotiated by the former governor, we’re providing $5,000 bonuses to state employees and social-service providers—recognizing their contributions in a sustainable way.

✅ Keeping Higher Education Affordable – Our budget maintains Washington’s historic tuition cap and funds 1,800 new higher-education slots for resident students, ensuring that more young people can access a quality education without excessive debt.

✅ Putting Kids First – For the first time in six years, K-12 education receives a larger share of the budget, with hundreds of millions more for special education and classroom materials. We are also investing in efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism and preserving the bonus for nationally recognized teachers, unlike the Inslee administration’s budget proposal.

✅ Preserving Vital Services for Our Most Vulnerable – The $ave Washington budget ensures continued funding for seniors, people with developmental disabilities, and those needing behavioral-health treatment. Unlike the Democratic plan, which threatens service reductions, our approach maintains and strengthens these essential programs.

✅ Supporting Public Safety and Law Enforcement – We fully fund the policy in SB 5060, which provides grants to local communities to hire more law enforcement officers, a measure supported by Governor Ferguson. Unlike the Democratic approach of opening a costly new juvenile prison wing, we favor a sensible policy to manage facility capacity more effectively.

✅ Keeping Outdoor Recreation Affordable – Unlike the Democratic plan, which would raise fees on state parks and hunting and fishing licenses, our budget freezes these fees, ensuring that families can continue to enjoy Washington’s great outdoors without additional financial strain.

A Better Future Without Higher Taxes

Affordability is top of mind for Washingtonians but unfortunately too many in Olympia are discussing billions in tax increases, tuition hikes, and dipping into the rainy-day fund to cover their overspending. They aren’t making the connection that taxes means a less affordable Washington. But that doesn’t have to happen. Our $ave Washington plan proves we can meet the needs of our communities without burdening families and businesses with more taxes.

This isn’t just an idea—it’s a fully developed, serious budget proposal that makes Washington work better for everyone. I encourage you to take a closer look at the details and see how responsible budgeting can put our state on a stronger path forward.

As always, I value your feedback and encourage you to reach out with your thoughts. Let’s keep fighting for a future that puts families first, protects taxpayers, and invests in what truly matters.

I encourage you to check our math. Take a look at the thoughtful, in-depth work we’ve put into this to show that it is possible. Visit: www.SaveWA.org to see all the documents, non-partisan analysis and bills related to our proposal.