Washington State's Millionaires Tax Passes Senate, Promises $3.7B for Schools and Public Services

Washington state's legislative session is heating up as lawmakers tackle affordability, taxes, and public services amid a brighter economic forecast. The Senate passed Senate Bill 6346, the Millionaires Tax, on a 27-22 vote, imposing a 9.9% rate on income over $1 million to generate $3.7 billion annually for schools, health care, child care, and tax relief for small businesses and low-income families, according to Senate Democrats and KOMO News[2][4]. Less than 1% of households would be affected, with exemptions expanded for charities and 7% of revenue earmarked for county public safety. The bill heads to the House before the March 12 session end, though legal challenges loom. House Democrats are pushing affordability measures against federal tariffs impacting the trade-heavy state, as House Speaker Laurie Jinkins noted to The News Tribune[1]. Lawmakers also advanced bills restricting ICE access to schools and health facilities, cited by Sen. Drew Hansen in Washington State Standard reports[1], and a Senate bill for stricter sheriff oversight cleared on party lines, per Seattle Times[1]. King County Executive's order protects immigrants, while Seattle considers limiting ICE data sharing, according to Northwest Asian Weekly and South Seattle Emerald[1]. Economically, the state's outlook improved with revenue forecasts up $827 million to $75.3 billion for the biennium, easing budget pressures, as Sen. June Robinson called absolutely good news in Yakima Herald-Republic[5]. Employment grew modestly at 0.3% in 2025, with stronger projections ahead. Bellevue advanced its 2026-2031 Economic Development Plan to boost jobs and address high living costs, per city council updates[3]. Small businesses face health insurance hikes, Seattle Times reports[1]. In communities, WCC is cutting programs for sustainability, Cascadia Daily News notes[1], while infrastructure like the North Spokane Corridor progresses, per Spokesman-Review[1]. Public safety sees a Purple Alert bill for missing vulnerable adults passing the Senate, KIRO 7 reports[1], and illegal food trucks now risk jail in Snohomish County, KING 5 states[1]. No major recent weather events reported. Looking Ahead: Watch House action on the Millionaires Tax, supplemental budget proposals this Sunday, and session wrap-up by March 12, with potential tobacco tax hikes and estate tax retreats in play. Thank you for tuning in, listeners—subscribe for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3Qs For more check out http://www.quietplease.ai This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.