Dear friends and neighbors,

Washington should be a place where families can afford to live, small businesses can thrive, and every person is treated with dignity and respect. This session, we are taking on two big challenges that speak directly to those values: fixing our upside-down tax system so it works for working people, and standing firmly against fear, division, and threats to our civil rights.

Below, I’m sharing updates on the Millionaire’s Tax proposal and the steps we’re taking to protect transparency, privacy, and basic rights in our communities amidst aggression from ICE. These issues may seem different on the surface, but they are connected by one goal: building a state that is fair, safe, and rooted in shared responsibility.

Chat Soon!

Reminder that we’re hosting a telephone town hall Monday, Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Bring your questions about the 2026 legislative session!

WHO: Sen. Derek Stanford and Reps. Shelley Kloba, and Davina Duerr

WHAT: Telephone town hall with 1st Legislative District residents

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 23, from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

We’ll dial out to folks in-district – but If you don’t automatically get a call at 6:30, you can join by calling 855-756-7520 and entering the ID code 129671# after the prompt.

Hope to chat with you on Monday!

A fairer tax system that works for Washington families

For too long, Washington’s tax system has asked the most of those who have the least—and the least of those who have the most. Built nearly a century ago, our upside-down tax code is failing to keep up with a growing state, rising costs, and the real needs of Washington families.

That’s why I support SB 6346- Establishing a Tax on Millionaires – legislation that takes a meaningful step toward fairness by asking Washington’s wealthiest households to contribute more equitably, while reducing taxes for working families and small businesses.

As with any major policy proposal, the bill has continued to evolve through the legislative process. It has already been amended in the Senate and is expected to see further changes as it moves forward in the House. While details may shift, the core goal remains the same: building a more balanced and sustainable tax system for Washington.

The current proposal establishes a 9.9% tax on annual income over $1 million, with a $1 million standard deduction per household. This means you do not pay tax on the first $1 million of your paycheck. It affects less than 0.5% of Washington households and does not apply to the sale of your home or a family-owned small business. The tax would take effect in 2028, with revenues beginning in 2029.

The impact would be transformative.

SB 6346 is estimated to generate approximately $3.7 billion annually, with the vast majority invested directly in what our communities need most: K-12 education, health care, higher education, essential public services, and strengthening public defense across the state.

Just as important, this plan is about tax relief—not just revenue. It would:

• Expand the Working Families Tax Credit to all eligible Washingtonians 18 and older, benefiting an estimated 120,000 more people.
• Double the Small Business Tax Credit, eliminating B&O taxes for businesses earning under $250,000 and helping around 150,000 small businesses.
• Remove sales tax from grooming and hygiene products, because basic necessities shouldn’t come with a tax penalty.

Even after recent progress, Washington still has the second most regressive tax system in the nation, with our lowest-income residents paying nearly four times more of their income in taxes than our highest earners. That is not okay.

At a time when federal funding for health care, education, and food security is being cut, Washington cannot afford austerity as a long-term strategy. Voters have made clear they don’t want schools, health care, or essential services cut so that extremely wealthy individuals can pay less.

The goal here is simple: a fair system where everyone contributes their fair share, affordability improves for working families, and our state remains strong, competitive, and compassionate.

Fixing our broken tax structure won’t happen overnight, and this legislation will continue to be refined. But it represents a critical step forward. I’m proud to stand with Washington families, workers, and small businesses in support of a tax system that better reflects our values.

Standing Up to Fear & Division

This session, our caucus is confronting a deeply disturbing rise in hostility toward people based on race, ability, economic status, and heritage.

Across our state and country, federal immigration enforcement tactics are becoming more dangerous, aggressive, and illegal. Whether someone is undocumented, documented, or a U.S. citizen, no one should live in fear of being seized without clarity, safety, due process, or basic dignity. These actions are tearing families apart and spreading fear into schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

Washington must be a place where the rule of law coexists with humanity, and where public safety does not come at the cost of civil rights, . I refuse to let fear dictate policy. Our strength comes from unity, diversity, opportunity, and respect for every Washingtonian.

Here’s what we’re working on to keep Washingtonians safe: 

Law Enforcement Identification Bill (SB 5855 / HB 2173) At a moment when trust in public institutions is strained and confusion and fear during ICE encounters can quickly escalate, clear identification matters more than ever. SB 5855 responds to growing concerns from communities across Washington about officers — including federal agents — engaging with the public while concealing their identities.

This bill reinforces a simple but powerful principle: transparency is foundational to public safety.

Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) / “Flock” Camera Regulation (SB 6002 / HB 2332)  These cameras are increasingly used by cities to address crime, but without clear statewide standards, the data they collect can be stored indefinitely, shared broadly, or used in ways residents never intended.

This bill is about setting guardrails before misuse becomes the norm. It recognizes that public safety tools must come with strong privacy protections, clear limits on data retention, and transparency about who can access sensitive information — and for what purpose. Washingtonians should not have to trade away their privacy to feel safe in their communities.

Apply for Financial Aid Today!

Did you know that only about half of Washington’s high school seniors file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? Students interested in higher education can use the FAFSA, as well as the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) to learn if they are eligible for federal or state financial aid. Both are now open for applications.

You’ll never know how much financial aid you can get unless you apply. Apply today at wsac.wa.gov/apply!

Rep. Shelley Kloba