Think Out Loud

Washington’s short legislative session comes to a close

By Malya Fass (OPB)
March 13, 2026 1 p.m.

Broadcast: Friday, March 13

Washington state lawmakers concluded the 60-day short legislative session in Olympia yesterday.

One of the closely watched bills they passed imposes a state income tax of 9.9% on households earning more than $1 million annually. The so-called millionaires’ tax garnered a record-breaking 25-hour debate on the House floor. Gov. Bob Ferguson is expected to sign the legislation which would not go into effect until 2028.

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Scott Greenstone, a politics reporter at our partner station KUOW and co-host of the "Sound Politics“ podcast, joins us to discuss the bill and other key developments in the session.

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