Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal is urging lawmakers to back a new income-based tax on the state’s top earners to bolster public education and reduce property taxes. The proposal, introduced this week by Democratic lawmakers, would levy what’s being called a “millionaires tax” on residents making more than $1 million per year.

Reykdal, speaking Thursday, said his plan would fix what he calls a long-standing gap in education funding while easing financial pressure on middle-class homeowners. “If we think generationally and we think big and inspire what’s possible, then we’re not having a tax fight,” he said. “We’re having a conversation around what does the best for our kids for a very long time to come.”

According to a statement from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, basic K–12 education in Washington — including special education services, transportation, and instructional materials — is currently underfunded by an estimated $750 million. Reykdal’s plan would add up to $900 million per year to fully meet those needs, while expanding free school meals and offering two years of tuition-free college at Washington’s public institutions. Those latter programs are estimated to cost roughly $870 million combined.

The superintendent’s proposal also calls for $1.4 billion in property tax relief, which his office says could save the average homeowner about $640 a year. “There is a missing part of the conversation, which is affordability for middle-class families,” Reykdal said. “They are under serious duress.”

Republican lawmakers have voiced firm opposition to the plan, warning that it could hurt small businesses and erode the state’s economy. House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary said the $1 million income threshold wouldn’t hold, predicting broader tax exposure in the future. “It’s only a tax on millionaires this session,” he said. “It will quickly become a tax on regular people like you and me.” Stokesbary accused Democratic legislators of cooperating with major employers to advance a de facto income tax, which he said would “devastate Washington’s economy while benefiting big business.”

The tax debate comes as state leaders face growing demands for education funding and taxpayer relief. The Legislature’s response could have a direct impact on school districts across southwest Washington, where local levies still fill funding gaps for staffing, transportation, and student support. Property owners in areas such as Longview, Kelso, and Castle Rock continue to experience rising assessments, making any potential tax shift particularly relevant in Cowlitz County.

Update

Hundreds of demonstrators recently rallied at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia to show support for the proposed “Millionaires Tax.” According to reports from KGW, the bill would impose a 9.9% income tax on households earning more than $1 million annually. Lawmakers estimate the measure could generate roughly $3.7 billion per year in new revenue.

Supporters at the rally argued that the additional revenue would help stabilize education funding, fund childcare, and address affordability for working families across the state. Opponents, including several business advocacy groups, maintained that any income tax—regardless of the threshold—could deter investment and harm Washington’s competitive economy.

The proposal is expected to be debated through the current legislative session, with outcomes likely to influence the state’s long-term approach to both taxation and education equity.

Source: MyNorthwest.com