Schmick discusses budget approval

The state House of Representatives passed a $58.2 billion 2021-23 operating budget that relies on an unnecessary, unpopular, and likely unconstitutional income tax on capital gains.

As I've said before, state tax collections are now back to pre-pandemic levels. We also have billions coming into the state from the federal stimulus package. There is no legitimate reason to pass new taxes, especially a tax that voters in our state have rejected 10 times in the past.

I have concerns that state spending continues to balloon uncontrollably. The 2021-23 budget passed represents a 12.8% increase from...