Washington State House Approves New Income Tax After Marathon Debate

The bill now heads to the Senate and faces expected legal challenges

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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After over 24 hours of intense debate, the Washington State House of Representatives has approved a new income tax on households earning over $1 million per year. The bill now moves to the state Senate for approval before heading to Governor Bob Ferguson, who has indicated he will sign it into law. However, the legislation is expected to face legal challenges and a potential ballot referendum attempt by opponents.

Why it matters

This vote marks a significant shift in Washington's tax policy, as the state has long been one of only nine without a personal income tax. Proponents argue the new tax will make the state's tax system more progressive and fair, while opponents contend it is unconstitutional and will harm families and businesses.

The details

The bill, SB 6346, passed the House by a vote of 51-46, with eight Democrats joining all 38 Republicans in opposition. It would impose a 9.9% tax on adjusted gross household income above $1 million, effective January 1, 2028. The revenue, estimated at $3.5-$4 billion annually, would be used to expand the state's Working Families Tax Credit and provide funding for child care and early learning programs.

  • The House debate began around 5:30 pm on Monday and lasted over 24 hours, concluding with the final vote at 6:10 pm on Tuesday.
  • The income tax would take effect on January 1, 2028, with the first tax payments due in 2029.

The players

Bob Ferguson

The Governor of Washington, who has said he will sign the income tax bill into law.

Natasha Hill

A Democratic state representative from Spokane who expressed excitement about the 'epic' vote on the income tax.

Joe Fitzgibbon

The Democratic House Majority Leader and one of the architects of the income tax legislation.

Matt Marshall

A Republican state representative from Eatonville who said he could not face his constituents on this proposal.

Noel Frame

A Democratic state senator and lead lawmaker on the income tax bill, who said she saw no issues with the Senate concurring with the House changes.

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What they’re saying

“It's not too often in this line of work that you have a vote that's truly historic. By any definition, that's what this was.”

— Bob Ferguson, Governor of Washington

“The people that have been opposed to this not only don't feel their voice was heard, they see the joy about new taxes and they see no objective benefits. We have lost the trust of the people. This is a dark day in Washington's history.”

— Matt Marshall, Republican state representative

“It has been a long journey here to this moment, not just the over 24 hours that we've spent on this floor debating this proposal, but the 93 years that Washingtonians have struggled with a grossly outdated tax structure that falls by far the heaviest on the lowest income.”

— Joe Fitzgibbon, Democratic House Majority Leader

What’s next

The bill must now return to the state Senate for agreement on changes before going to Governor Ferguson for his signature. After that, legal challenges and a potential ballot referendum attempt are expected.

The takeaway

This vote represents a historic shift in Washington's tax policy, as the state moves to enact its first personal income tax in nearly a century. The debate highlighted the deep partisan divisions over the issue, with Republicans arguing the tax is unconstitutional and will harm families and businesses, while Democrats see it as a step toward a more progressive and fair tax system.