(The Center Square) – Less than a month before the 2026 legislative session, Republican state lawmakers are proposing cutting $3.7 billion for the next fiscal budget, but did not yet release any specifics about how many jobs, programs or what areas they plan to target.
An early December presentation from The Office of Program Research (OPR) shows that Washington faces a projected $4.3 billion deficit for the 2027-29 biennium, assuming current spending levels remain the same.
Though Governor Bob Ferguson has recently stated he will be looking at an “all cuts” budget, majority Democrats have floated a number of new taxing proposals to include a potential income tax on high wage earners and a payroll tax.
The Center Square got a preview of the proposal from House Republicans to avoid any tax increases, while backfilling some programs that were gutted in 2025.
Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, is the ranking minority on the House Appropriations Committee.
“State government has been spending more than we project to collect over several budget cycles. And in just the last budget for every 75 cents we saved, we spent a new dollar,” said Couture in an interview with The Center Square.
Couture said his ‘Budget for the Working Class’ is focused on struggling Washington families.
“My budget proposal and this framework don’t ask people who have nothing more to give, to give a single dime more. I think that’s the important takeaway here. I’ve produced a budget that has no new taxes, and cuts nearly $4 billion in spending,” Couture said.
Without providing specifics, the framework “identifies $3.7 billion in savings over four years through spending reductions, efficiencies and the elimination of lower-priority programs.” Couture said the plan protects core services, avoids cuts to K-12 classrooms and does not reduce benefits or service delivery, while restoring funding for some key programs that were gutted in 2025.
He said the framework fulfills the promise to fully fund law enforcement hiring grants.
“While we appreciate the governor and the Legislature for their attempt to strengthen our criminal justice agencies with additional funding last session, the funding appropriated will not solely be used as originally intended,” noted Couture’s framework. “This proposes appropriating an additional $100 million solely to increase the number of law enforcement officers in Washington state to protect and serve our communities.”
The proposed framework also restores funding for the Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent, which was gutted in 2025, shuttering doors on the facility that cares for drug addicted newborns.
“We cannot close down centers that help heal drug addicted babies. And this is actually a small line item. It’s an easy fix. We need to protect those babies,” said Couture.
His proposal would require a two-thirds vote for any new tax increases and tie growth of spending to inflation and population growth.
This framework proposes $3.9 billion in reductions, efficiencies, and program eliminations over the outlook period. None of these reductions result in reduced benefits or impact service delivery for Washington state citizens.
The Center Square reached out to House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma for comment on Couture’s proposal.
“The Speaker will entertain ideas for tax reform that ease the burden on working families and ask the wealthiest Washingtonians to contribute fairly,” read the email.
Given that Democrats, who hold large majorities in both the House and Senate are in control of budget negotiations and whether tax proposals are considered, The Center Square asked Couture if he believes his party will even have a seat at the negotiating table.
“I think that the majority party is in a place today where they’re going to almost have to listen to some of these proposals whether they like it or not,” said Couture noting that many of the taxing proposals Democrats are considering would not take effect immediately or help looming deficits anytime soon.
Gov. Ferguson has said he is looking at an “all cuts” budget, but Couture said they aren’t fooled by that talk given that Ferguson went into the 2025 session suggesting he would not raise taxes, only to ultimately sign the largest tax increase in state history.
“It’s been absolutely harming people in Washington state. Not just families at home, but businesses as well and vulnerable populations,” said Couture. “We won’t be fooled again this time.”
