“Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, delivered a floor speech outlining his opposition to Senate Bill 6346, which proposes a new millionaire income tax. He anchored his opposition in a simple principle: never make a promise you cannot keep.

During his remarks, Abbarno highlighted how the legislation relies on empty promises to Washingtonians. He argued that the bill uses nonbinding language of intent to offer investments in childcare and universal free lunches without actually guaranteeing those outcomes or providing a mechanism to fund them. Instead of delivering real solutions, he warned that the bill offers only intentions with nothing to keep lawmakers accountable to follow through.

Beyond the broken promises, Abbarno pointed out the tax’s unconstitutional nature and its potential to drive innovation and capital out of the state. He reminded the chamber that just two years ago, the legislature voted overwhelmingly to ban an income tax. Rather than pushing an unpopular and legally questionable tax, he urged his colleagues to offer genuine, across the board tax relief, such as a statewide sales tax reduction, to truly help working communities.”