The Washington State Senate has approved Senate Bill 6346, a proposal to impose a 9.9% tax on individual or combined household income exceeding $1 million. According to reporting from The Center Square, the bill passed on a 27–22 vote Monday after several hours of debate. Three Democratic senators broke with their caucus to oppose the measure, including Sen. Adrien Cortes of Battle Ground, making the bill’s trajectory particularly relevant for residents of Clark and Cowlitz counties.

The legislation, which now advances to the state House, is framed by supporters as a means to reduce Washington’s regressive tax structure and expand funding for public defense, education, healthcare, and the Working Families Tax Credit. According to the bill report summarized by The Center Square, 7% of the revenue would be dedicated to county-level public defense services, including those in Southwest Washington.

Opponents argue the proposal is unconstitutional and economically risky. Senators critical of the bill warned it could prompt high-income residents—and the investment they bring—to leave the state. SB 6346 also intersects with ongoing concerns in neighboring communities. As The Center Square reports, critics fear the bill places additional strain on regional economies still adapting to shifting labor markets and rising costs.

The measure is part of a broader legislative effort to reshape the state’s tax structure. A related report from Washington State Standard highlights provisions intended to expand eligibility for the Working Families Tax Credit and remove retail sales tax on hygiene products, while also adjusting business tax exemptions. These components add significance for local workers, small‑business owners, and first‑time filers in Cowlitz County.

The Senate’s vote marks a pivotal moment in Washington’s long‑running debates over income taxation. The House’s forthcoming deliberation will determine whether the bill advances toward enactment or meets resistance amid constitutional and economic concerns raised across both sides of the aisle. With a local senator among the dissenting votes, residents of Longview, Kelso, and the wider county may see heightened public discussion as the legislative process continues.