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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Today the House Democrats released their proposal for the 2015-2017 state budget. Their plan would spend $38.9 billion and raise taxes $1.5 billion just in the first two years alone.
Keep in mind, the state is already on track to take in $3 billion more in tax revenues this budget cycle. Don't you think it's better to try to make do with what we have first?
Most 2nd District residents would probably agree that taxes should always be the last resort. But in this budget plan, with its 13 percent spending increase, finding savings in state government clearly wasn't a priority. Instead, the House Democrats went straight for the taxpayers.
Tax fairness is important, but so is spending fairness. And it's not fair to the taxpayers of Washington state to have to keep feeding an ever-growing government that is rarely held accountable for its spending practices.
(For a detailed list of the House Democrats' proposed new taxes and tax increases, see the table below)

Have your say
You have the opportunity to make your voice heard on the budget. If you are able and willing, I encourage you to come to Olympia this Monday, March 30, at 1:30 p.m. to testify at the House Appropriations Committee hearing, and let legislators know what you think.
The hearing is on the state Capitol campus, in the John L. O'Brien Building, Hearing Room A. Public hearings are open to everyone. If you want to testify I encourage you to arrive early so you can put your name on a sign-in sheet.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact my office – my contact info is below.
Thanks for your time, and I'll talk to you again soon.
Sincerely,

J.T. Wilcox