January 31, 2020

Announcing the Tax Watchdog Committee

Last year, legislative Democrats approved $26 billion in new taxes over the next decade. One the proposals in that package included an increase in the regressive business and occupation (B&O) tax on everything from health-care providers to housing services. Despite the state Department of Revenue indicating the bill violates four...
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January 30, 2020

More Verbal Camouflage – Tax Increases are now Reforms

It’s verbal camouflage. Just like Initiative 976 that is tied up in the courts because of a “confusing” title, the Senate just approved a bill over my objection that “reforms” the state’s regressive business & occupation tax. What it really did is just make sure more small businesses are paying...
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January 29, 2020

Fortunato proposal ices Seattle winter eviction ban

State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, has introduced legislation, Senate Bill 6651, to preempt efforts by local jurisdictions that undo the state’s carefully crafted landlord tenant laws concerning evictions. In an extraordinary and arguably unconstitutional move, a Seattle City Council committee approved a policy sponsored by Seattle City Council Member Kshama...
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January 28, 2020

More Gun Control?

On the news of the recent shootings in Seattle, some are reflexively saying ‘we need more gun control!’ They skip over the fact that the 2 criminals had 65 arrests but were still on the streets. What can be done? I’ve got some answers.
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January 22, 2020

More than Just Money

  Read more about my Housing & Homelessness Package here.
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January 17, 2020

Week 1 of the 2020 Legislative Session

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December 20, 2019

Raiding state’s rainy-day fund is ‘stupid but not unconstitutional’

State Sen. Phil Fortunato is disappointed that Gov. Jay Inslee’s supplemental budget proposal seeks to raid the state’s constitutional rainy-day fund to the tune of over $300 million. Fortunato, R-Auburn made this statement regarding how the governor’s proposal could leave Washington vulnerable in the event of an economic downturn. “In...
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December 19, 2019

Fortunato will vote NO on Transportation Commission’s mileage tax recommendations

Late Tuesday, the state’s Transportation Commission took a nonbinding vote recommending that the Legislature consider implementing a mileage tax to replace stagnating gas tax revenues. State Sen. Phil Fortunato, who is a member of the Senate Transportation Committee and on the mileage tax pilot work group, voiced sharp criticism of...
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November 27, 2019

Fortunato to introduce ‘clean’ $30-car tab bill

Calls for special session to uphold will of the voters Groundhog Day is still a little more than two months away, yet Sen. Phil Fortunato sees events unfolding eerily similar to the first time Washington voters approved $30 car tabs in 1999. Following that vote the state’s high court struck...
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November 21, 2019

Fortunato takes Inslee, Constantine to task over dangerous ‘sanctuary’ policies

State Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, is demanding action from Gov. Jay Inslee and King County Executive Dow Constantine following recent violence against Washington residents that he attributes to their endorsement of “sanctuary” policies. Fortunato detailed his concerns in letters to Inslee and Constantine after meeting with local Immigration and Customs...
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