Stories by Ryan Frost
29 stories
Opinion: How the natural gas ruling could kill Washington's income tax
Frost argues the single-subject rule used to strike I-2066 applies equally to ESSB 6346's bundled income tax package.
Opinion: Why lawmakers are going after your pension
Ryan Frost argues lawmakers included public pensions in the income tax law in preparation for lowering the $1 million deduction.
Opinion: Don’t fall for the illusion of voter control on income tax expansion
A House amendment requiring a referendum before any income threshold change was voted down 45-51.
Opinion: Washington’s ‘regressive’ tax debate ignores where people and money are moving
Washington Policy Center's Ryan Frost argues the state's operating budget rose from $33. 6B to $80. 2B, driving new taxes and worsening competitiveness.
Opinion: The Seattle Times editorial board makes excuses for the budget failures it condemns
Ryan Frost argues the Seattle Times editorial board's own prior warnings undercut its case for preserving Washington's new income tax.
Opinion: Six charts that explain Washington’s budget problem
Washington spending grew 148% from 2013 to 2025, outpacing 112% revenue growth and population plus inflation by 77%.
Opinion: Judge’s own words expose the bias in Washington’s income-tax repeal impact disclosure
Ryan Frost argues Judge Lanese defended the PIID warning by reasoning voters need the government's case against tax cuts, not by testing whether the Attorney General met the neutrality requirement.
Opinion: What the state's own data says about Superintendent Reykdal's budget claims
State data show real tax burden per resident rose roughly 44% since 2004, contradicting Reykdal's fiscal restraint claims.
Opinion: Washington's budget outlook darkens with latest revenue forecast
Washington's next budget has only 2. 5% capacity while projected inflation could hit 9. 4% over two years.
Opinion: Record capital gains revenue won't solve Washington's budget woes
Washington's capital gains tax hit $1. 5 billion in fiscal 2026 — yet covers less than 10% of the state's projected budget shortfall.
Opinion: Washington tax collections are running below forecast as the economy softens
Washington's tax collections are $135. 4 million behind forecast since February as employment and revenue both slip.
Opinion: Governor Ferguson warns of upcoming shortfall after years of overspending
Washington's $80. 2B budget grew more than twice as fast as population and inflation combined since 2013.
Opinion: No, Washington's budget is not shrinking despite progressive claims
Washington's operating budget hit $80. 2 billion — 55% above the population-plus-inflation benchmark since 2013–15.
Opinion: The nation’s first pension raid is happening in Washington state
HB 2034 would strip billions from LEOFF 1 and redirect funds to unrelated state spending, setting a national precedent.
Opinion: What would it take for elected officials to believe high earners are leaving Washington?
Capital gains tax collections fell more than 50% in 2024 despite a 25% stock market gain that year.
Opinion: Internal emails show income tax bill was designed to bypass the Constitution and lock out voters
Internal communications show legislators and AG's office strategically designed income tax bill to prevent public referendum while forcing Supreme Court review.
Opinion: Tax day is painful enough without Washington adding its own
Washington's new 9. 9% income tax mirrors federal pattern: start narrow, expand to hit everyone within years.
Opinion: The legislature has committed $2.4 billion to recurring pension increases since 2018
Six legislative COLAs have raised public employer costs by $2.38 billion since 2018, driving up unfunded pension liabilities and increasing burdens on county and city budgets.
Opinion: Attacking Democracy in the name of Democracy
Ryan Frost critiques several 2024 legislative bills, warning unchecked Democrat dominance enables policies that erode local accountability, block referenda, and threaten citizen participation.
Opinion: Legislature agrees to increased spending in Supplemental Budget
Washington lawmakers approved an $80. 2 billion supplemental budget, banking on an income tax that is uncertain to withstand legal and electoral tests despite increasing spending beyond revenue pro…
Opinion: The income tax passed the House – what’s next?
Washington House approved a new tax despite bipartisan opposition; business leaders and residents signal economic impact and looming legal fights.
Opinion: Gov. Ferguson has abandoned his own tax relief demands
Ryan Frost of the Washington Policy Center argues that Gov. Bob Ferguson’s support for the state’s proposed income tax contradicts his earlier demands for broader taxpayer relief.
Opinion: WA House Finance Committee passes income tax bill
Ryan Frost argues that ESSB 6346, which would impose a 9. 9 percent income tax, advances to the House floor despite widespread opposition and ongoing budget growth.
Opinion: Internal emails reveal the real plan for a statewide income tax
Ryan Frost argues internal emails show a multi-step strategy toward a statewide progressive income tax in Washington.
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