We’ve reached the end of the 2026 legislative session. Sine Die was Thursday, March 12 — and as always, there’s a lot to report. This is a longer update than usual, but it’s important you have the full picture of what happened this session and what it means for your...

OLYMPIA — During debate on the Senate’s proposed supplemental operating budget, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R–Auburn, introduced an amendment to require a phased-in zero-based budgeting review of state spending. The amendment was not adopted. The Senate proposed operating budget, Senate Bill 5998, passed on a party-line vote of 30–19, with all...

Thank you for the opportunity to serve our community in the 31st Legislative District. In Olympia, I’m focused on practical solutions that keep Washington affordable, ensure accountability, and reflect the common-sense priorities of the people I work for every day. Today marks another deadline — Policy Committee Cutoff in the opposite...

In this legislative update, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, explains why Washington’s proposed income tax, Senate Bill 6346, is anything but harmless. For years, Washington promoted itself as a great place to live and do business because it had no personal or business income tax. That changed with the adoption of...

In this legislative update video, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, explains why fast-tracking the Fairfax Bridge replacement is critical for communities in the 31st Legislative District and access to Mount Rainier. Fortunato outlines his push to move the project to a design-build process — a step that could shave a year...

Thank you for trusting me to represent you in Olympia. I take that responsibility seriously. Our district values independence and common sense, and I will continue fighting to protect your individual rights and freedoms while standing up for our communities, families, and small businesses. The 2026 legislative session officially began...

The Washington Senate is poised to approve a bill Thursday that would allow the annual growth in property taxes to triple, flouting the will of Washington voters who approved a cap on property taxes in 2001. Republican senators say they plan to raise stiff opposition when the bill comes to...

As majority Democrats sought to impose a state income tax with Senate Bill 5096, state Sen. Phil Fortunato fought to ensure taxpayer fairness by offering four amendments to slow the bills progression through the Legislature and ensure any new revenue collected would benefit working families in Washington. “Let’s be clear,...

  In a news conference Wednesday, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, expressed his desire to return taxpayer money in the form of relief from the Democratic property tax increases as part of the state’s biennial budget that was adopted in 2017. Fortunato spoke in support of Senate Bill 6439, which seeks...

During the 2017 legislative session, Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, sponsored a state constitutional amendment to prohibit the imposition of an unpopular income tax on citizens in Washington state. Although the measure had bipartisan support, Senate Joint Resolution 8204 needed a two-thirds majority to pass. Most Senate Democrats voted against the...