By Cindy Alia 2/13/26

Washington state is confronting a deepening electricity affordability crisis as rapidly growing demand clashes with clean energy transitions, grid constraints, and escalating utility rates. The Pacific Northwest has long enjoyed relatively low electricity prices due to abundant hydropower, but that advantage is fading fast.

Recent reports highlight heightened risks of brownouts or rolling blackouts in extreme conditions, while policies like the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) drive both necessary changes and added costs. For many residents—especially those already stretched by high housing, groceries, and living expenses—these pressures feel immediate and burdensome, often outweighing the longer-term "green rewards" of emissions reductions or future efficiency savings.

The WRIA-1 water adjudication lawsuit has generated reaction from many well owners who live in the Water Resource Inventory Area-1 (WRIA-1) within Whatcom County and part of northern Skagit County.

By Cindy Alia 2/9/26

At 3:15 today the Senate Ways and Means Committee Democrats voted in favor of passing the Millionaire's Tax, SB 6346 from their committee to the Rules Committee where it will have a no doubt short wait to be moved to the Senate Floor for a final vote.  This in spite of historically overwhelming numbers giving testimony in the committee hearing of over 61,000 clearly telling the legislators NO on SB 6346 and its companion bill 2724 which is waiting in the wings while the senate does the dirty work for the house. 

By Cindy Alia, 2/5/26

This bill had a hearing in the house today.  Unfortunately the majority of testifiers were government entities and health care providers, there was no time allowed for ordi% nary tax paying citizens to testify before the committee.  The companion bill in the house is moving quite quickly so without major amendments it appears the bill has a 40% chance of passing this year.  It will be costly, call the legislative hotline 800 562 2000!

CAPR Executive Summary and testimony provided.
Senate Bill 6294 (SB 6294), introduced in the Legislature of the State of Washington, proposes sweeping expansions of local government taxing authority, including increases in real estate excise taxes (REET), property tax levies, sales and use taxes, and utility taxes.

By Cindy Alia 2/5/26

Washington State prides itself on having no broad personal income tax on wages. Instead, the state funds its government through a heavy reliance on sales taxes, property taxes, B&O (gross receipts) taxes, excise taxes, and a growing array of fees and regulatory costs. While this system is frequently labeled “regressive” because lower- and middle-income households pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes, the full picture is far more nuanced—and often overlooked by those pushing the idea of "fairness" in the form of an income tax.

By Cindy Alia February 2, 2026 

HB 1345 is ramping up its second try for the 2025-26 bicameral legislative session.  Some things the legislature produces do not improve with age! I am on the fence with this bill, but in the long run must be like a Mama Bear in protecting and promoting property rights!

Citizens' Alliance would urge the legislature to take a less heavy anded approach if housing is the goal.  If GMA mandates and heavy handed government coersion is the goal, then let the bill remain the same.

CAPR has some comments related to perfecting the bill, even while discouraging a disturbing trend of lawmakers to "compromise" and describe coercive tactics for GMA goals as voluntary compliance.

By Cindy Alia 1/27/26

In yet another attempt, the majority party in Olympia and the Department of Natural Resources seek to commoditize and sell the "Natural Processes" of our lands they are tasked with managing.

Not just taxing the air you breathe, but selling it as well!

By Cindy Alia 1/26/26

SB 5609 Regarding cultural resource protection for certain land use activities that are categorically exempt from the state environmental policy act.  Send a comment to your legislators here. Or call 800 562 6000 and register your comment.  

This bill reduces exemptions that have been in place for development of private property, expanding the types of projects that will need extensive evaluation before permitting would be allowed.

Bill Overview

By Cindy Alia 1/21/26

Agency Overload Part 2

Here are additional Proposed Bills that will result in agency overload and diminished oversight of taxpayer dollars!  Prospective property owners heads up!

Always call the legislative hotline with the bill number and your comment!  800 562 6000

These Bills Need Your Attention to Prevent Escalating Taxation and Costs of Living. 

By Cindy Alia 1/16/26

Ecology's unsurprising over-reach in interpreting incorrectly a federal law about stream tempuratures applying it to non fish bearing streams thereby expanding no touch buffers in forestry.

Credit to Washington Forest Protection Association