District 12 lawmakers discuss budget, tough choices at town hall

District 12 legislators returned from Olympia for their first town hall to discuss the budgets, taxes and bills from the latest legislative session with a small crowd of local residents and Wenatchee Valley College staff.

Rep. Mike Steele and Rep. Brian Burnett Monday hosted the first in a three-part series of town halls at the Wenatchee Valley College Grove Recital Hall.

The biggest topic Monday night was Senate Bill 6346, or the "millionaire's tax," which levies a 9.9% tax on household annual income above $1 million. The tax begins Jan. 1, 2028 and is estimated to generate a little more than $3 billion per year. Collection would begin in 2029.

"We've raised taxes exponentially," Steele said. "So you think about the incredible amount of property taxes we leverage on our citizens in addition to the income tax ... we can't just continue to layer and that's we continue to do as a state. And we're not seeing any relief for anyone."

Steele added that he'd like to see some "meaningful conversations" with his counterparts on the Democratic side about the state's current approach on taxes but it's been "frustrating" so far.

Burnett also spoke the hard choices he's learned to make as a freshman legislator, having to say no to people in need due to the constraints of the budget.

"We've got to make hard decisions," he said. "We've got to make sacrifices, and the sacrifices we make as legislators impact other people, and I think that's the hardest decision."

Sen. Keith Goehner was not present at Monday's town hall despite being scheduled to attend. Legislative staff said he is resting after experiencing a "medical problem."

Both Burnett and Steele are running for reelection against opponents who have also filed for the state Public Disclosure Commission. Burnett facing off against Stacy Willoughby while Steele is up against Adam James.

The official filing week the week of May 4.

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