Former Gov. Gary Locke Warns Washington Spending Is Out of Control

Former Washington Gov. Gary Locke and Bellevue Chamber President and CEO Joe Fain are raising serious concerns about Washington state spending, the newly enacted income tax, future budget deficits and the long-term health of the state’s economy. The warnings came during the Association of Washington Business and Washington Roundtable’s Economic Future Solutions Summit in SeaTac, where political leaders, business representatives and lawmakers gathered to discuss Washington’s business climate, tax structure, government spending and economic future. Locke said Olympia has lost its budget discipline by using one-time money to create permanent government programs, borrowing from dedicated accounts and failing to identify sustainable funding for long-term commitments. He warned that state leaders cannot continue spending beyond projected revenue and must establish clearer priorities. The former Democratic governor also questioned why Washington is already projected to face another budget deficit even after lawmakers approved the new 9.9% income tax on earnings above $1 million. Locke asked whether the state will be able to fund the programs lawmakers have promised voters or whether the new revenue will eventually be redirected elsewhere. The debate comes as Initiative 645, the campaign to repeal Washington’s new income tax, was certified for the November ballot. Let’s Go Washington submitted more than 511,000 signatures, allowing voters to decide whether the tax should remain in place. Joe Fain also criticized the way Washington builds its state budget. He argued that lawmakers rely on overly optimistic economic projections, fail to account for costs such as lawsuits and settlements, and repeatedly create spending plans that eventually fall into deficit. Fain said Washington is increasingly relying on a narrow group of wealthy and highly mobile taxpayers. According to Fain, the state is effectively placing the future of major public programs on approximately 9,000 tax returns out of a population of more than 7 million people. He warned that Washington cannot assume those taxpayers will continue living, working and earning income in the state as taxes and regulations increase. Fain described that approach as an unsustainable gamble and said the state cannot build a stable budget on a “house of cards.” The broader discussion raises questions about Washington taxes, the state budget, business investment, government accountability, economic growth and whether Olympia’s spending commitments can be maintained without additional tax increases. Washington voters will now have an opportunity to weigh in on the income tax when Initiative 645 appears on the November ballot. #WashingtonPolitics #GaryLocke #WashingtonTaxes #IncomeTax #Initiative645 #WashingtonEconomy #StateBudget #GovernmentSpending #TaxpayerDollars #BusinessClimate #Olympia #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus