Tag Archives: Sen. Curtis King

Governor signs King bill helping rural hospital in Toppenish

The future looks brighter for the hospital that serves Toppenish and much of the lower Yakima Valley after bipartisan legislation from Sen. Curtis King was signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson in Yakima Friday.

The law created by Senate Bill 6194 will allow Astria Toppenish Hospital to be paid at 150 percent of the fee-for-service rate for inpatient and outpatient Medicaid services beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

“I was very pleased to see the governor sign this important legislation,” said King, R-Yakima. “The bill is critical to the future of Astria Toppenish Hospital, and vital to the needs of the citizens of the lower Yakima Valley, our Hispanic community and the Yakama Tribe. The hospital does not qualify for enhanced payments like other rural hospitals. In fact, it is one of two rural hospitals in Washington not designated as a critical-access hospital. Without the extra funding that this bill will help provide, ATH would be at risk of closing.”

The bill was co-sponsored by 15^th District Sen. Nikki Torres, R-Pasco.

The Senate unanimously approved SB 6194 on Feb 13. After the House unanimously passed an amended version of the bill on March 6, the Senate voted 49-0 on March 10 to concur with the House version, sending it to the governor.

Governor signs SB 6170

Ferguson last Friday also signed Senate Bill 6170, another measure introduced by King. The bill, which received unanimous approval by the Senate and House this year, will adjust monetary limits regarding contracting rules for state highway construction work.

“After the fast response time on emergency repair projects in December following the floods that month, many people asked what can be done to help things go faster and make things work more smoothly like they do in an emergency, and this is one of those solutions,” said King.

Legislature passes bipartisan transportation budget that creates jobs, invests in preservation

The Legislature passed the bipartisan 2025-27 supplemental transportation budget Thursday, a plan that could create up to 30,000 jobs through increased investments in preserving and maintaining the state’s infrastructure.

The balanced, $16.6 billion budget commits funding levels through 2031. In addition to preservation and maintenance, the package prioritizes strengthening the state’s ferry system, improving traffic safety, increasing Washington State Patrol staffing levels, and advancing the state’s climate goals.

“From the start, the budgets proposed by the House and Senate this year have been crystal clear about our commitment to increase funding for preservation and maintenance. I’m proud our final agreement is laser focused on ensuring our roads, bridges, and ferries are working well, all while creating thousands of good-paying jobs for Washingtonians,” said Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

“I’m glad the Legislature passed a final version of the supplemental transportation budget today. This budget will allow the state to address many maintenance and preservation projects across Washington, which is crucial to our state’s transportation system. It also provides money to help fix highways that were damaged by last December’s floods,” said Sen. Curtis King (R-Yakima), the ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee.

Funded through a bipartisan bonding agreement, the state will direct $1.3 billion for road and bridge preservation, $200 million for maintenance work, $28 million for ferry preservation projects, and an additional $100 million for safety-focused preservation on mainstreet highways.

Mitigating recent bridge closures and repairing damage from the December 2025 flooding are also key preservation and maintenance priorities in the budget. It allocates $2.5 million through 2029 to support the town of Wilkeson’s infrastructure and emergency management needs while the Fairfax bridge is replaced. The budget also directs $45 million for state and local flood-related highway recovery loans, so infrastructure can be repaired quickly as the state waits for federal disaster funding.

Strengthening and expanding the state’s ferry fleet is a key budget priority as well. The budget fulfills the funding commitment to build the three new ferry vessels under contract for construction by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, and it directs an additional $31 million to fully fund the electrification of three terminals. The budget also allocates $28 million over six years to increase maintenance capacity at Eagle Harbor, increase logistics capacity, and provide for an emergent preservation response team to help return ferries to service more quickly.

Washington’s traffic fatalities are on the decline, and the supplemental budget makes additional investments to keep improving traffic safety in every corner of the state. The budget allocates $2.7 million to the Washington State Patrol to help the agency return to full staffing levels. The proposal also creates a $1 million pedestrian safety grant program for cities and towns to install illuminated crosswalks and directs the Washington State Department of Licensing to develop a website with resources on aging and driving for older drivers and their families.

Building on the state’s work to reduce emissions, promote active transportation, and increase access to affordable public transit, the supplemental budget continues investments in key programs funded through the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), including free transit and ferry fares for youth under 18, Tribal Transit Mobility Grants, and the Safe Routes to School Program.

The three bills comprising the supplemental transportation budget — Senate Bills 6005 and 6225 and House Bill 2711 — now head to the governor for signature.

Here is how your voice can be heard on state-income tax proposal

February 4, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

One of the most controversial bills of this year’s legislative session – to create a state income tax – was introduced just yesterday in the state Senate.

Senate Bill 6346 would impose a 9.9% tax on your taxable income, with the first $1 million exempt. If passed, earnings would be taxed beginning January 1, 2028, with taxes due in April 2029. An identical bill has been introduced in the House (HB 2724) but Democrat leaders agree the Senate will consider its bill first.

Democrats have scheduled a public hearing on their income-tax bill this Friday at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. To sign up to testify on this bill or submit written testimony, please go here. To submit written comments to legislators on this proposal, go here. I encourage you to share your thoughts on this proposal.

The bill’s proponents are trying to sell it as a tax on millionaires. My fellow Republicans and I view it as an income tax, believing Democrats would eventually lower the income threshold so that EVERYONE in Washington would pay it.

It’s important to point out this bill would hit married people filing jointly who make a combined income of $1 million the same way it hits individuals. In fact, the $1 million standard deduction would be set only in state law, not the state constitution. That means future legislators could lower or eliminate the deduction through a simple majority vote to change a single sentence. No vote of the people would be required.

SB 6346 would override Initiative 2111, the measure approved by the Legislature (with bipartisan support) in 2024 that banned state and local income taxes in Washington.

The bill contains a “necessity clause,” which would prevent a referendum, but can specify an effective date in the future. Here is the bottom line: Democrats do not want Washington citizens to overturn this new tax by a referendum. With the “necessity clause,” it can only be overturned by an initiative (or if the Supreme Court finds the bill to be unconstitutional, which I believe it is).

I strongly oppose SB 6346. Over the years, Washingtonians have repeatedly shown that they oppose a state income tax. The Legislature needs to respect their wishes.

If you have questions about these or other issues facing the Legislature this year, please contact my office by email at curtis.king@leg.wa.gov or phone at 360-786-7626.

Thank you for the privilege and opportunity to serve as your 14^th District state senator.

Sincerely,

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King supports Senate’s passage of supplemental transportation budget

Sen. Curtis King, the Republican leader on the Senate Transportation Committee, says the supplemental state transportation budget passed today by the Senate prioritizes public safety and the maintenance and preservation of roads and highways.

“This transportation budget will help make our roads and highways safer to drive because it makes public safety a priority,” said King, R-Yakima. “Our supplemental budget, along with the 2023-25 state transportation budget enacted last year, provides enough funding to add 194 Washington State Patrol officers over the course of this two-year period. This year’s budget has funding to combat impaired driving, and it provides an additional $150 million for highway-preservation projects across Washington.”

The Senate today voted 48-1 to approve the supplemental transportation budget, which makes adjustments to the two-year budget approved by the Legislature in April 2023.

The Senate supplemental transportation budget spends $14.55 billion, including $8.38 billion in capital spending and $6.17 billion in operating spending. The $150 million in the supplemental budget for preservation projects raises the total amount in the two-year budget cycle for preservation to $1.073 billion.

The budget also provides $150 million in new funding for fish-passage culverts and $77.9 million in additional funding for the State Route 520 west end project in Seattle.

The Senate transportation budget funds several State Patrol projects:

$5.9 million for a third trooper class.
$4.7 million to restore the money saved when there were trooper vacancies.
$289,000 for additional toxicology-lab staffing.
$250,000 for staff and resources to improve compliance with ignition-interlock requirements.
$250,000 for expansion of licensing investigation unit activities.

The Senate spending plan also funds two public-safety projects for the Washington Traffic Safety Commission:

$2 million for a grant program to supplement DUI-enforcement activities.
$750,000 for an ignition-interlock dedicated compliance staff pilot program.

The House of Representatives approved its version of the state supplemental transportation budget this past Saturday. Transportation leaders in the Senate and House will meet to resolve differences and reach agreement on a compromise version of the budget.

The 2024 legislative session is scheduled to end March 7.

14th District lawmakers invite residents to virtual town hall Feb. 22

As the Legislature nears the midpoint of the short 60-day 2024 session, 14th District lawmakers are inviting residents to join them for an upcoming virtual town hall.

Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, Rep. Gina Mosbrucker, R-Goldendale, and Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, will provide a legislative update during the virtual town hall and provide constituents the opportunity to ask questions or share their concerns and ideas.

“As I say every session, getting the opportunity to have these conversations with our communities is incredibly important to the work we do in Olympia on their behalf,” said King. “I look forward to hearing their thoughts on our progress and learning what more we can do. I encourage people to hear our update and learn how they can get involved to help us pass bills that will improve their lives and stop bad ones that will hurt the district and the state.”

“I am grateful for the honor to serve our citizens across the 14th District. For us to do the job well, it’s important we hear from the people back home and get their input during and after the legislative session,” said Mosbrucker. “I hope everyone can join us so we can work to fix the crises facing our communities and create a better Washington state for all.”

“There is so much happening during a short session it can be challenging to keep up, so I look forward to providing an update during the virtual town hall on our efforts to improve public safety and combat the drug crisis, block new taxes, and increase access to affordable child care , said Corry. “But we also need to hear from the people of the 14th District as often as possible to inform our efforts in Olympia and this will provide that opportunity.”

Residents of the 14th Legislative District are invited to join the virtual town hall on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Pre-register by going to http://tinyurl.com/14th-LD-TownHall.

The 60-day legislative session is scheduled to end March 7.

King says gas-price hike from ‘cap-and-trade’ auctions will hurt drivers even more

Sen. Curtis King, Republican leader on the Senate Transportation Committee, said the state’s latest carbon-pricing auction will cause gasoline prices to continue rising, further hurting Washington drivers and businesses. This will also raise the prices for all things being shipped, which is about every item consumers use, further adding to high inflation.

“Since the carbon auctions authorized by the state’s cap-and-trade program began this year, nearly $1.5 billion has been collected – and much of that money ultimately comes from drivers who have to endure paying more and more at the pump. It isn’t fair to them,” said King. “It’s $1.5 billion that they could be using to improve their quality of life.”

King said the most recent auction, held by the Department of Ecology on Aug. 30, is expected to eventually bring the cumulative gas-price hike associated with cap-and-trade – formally called the Climate Commitment Act – to over 51 cents a gallon.

King, R-Yakima, said the gas-price hikes caused by the cap-and-trade program are like a regressive tax because they take a bigger financial bite from lower-income citizens.

“Low-income drivers are not as able to withstand these ever-rising gas prices,” said King. “As gas prices climb, more people in Washington are unable to afford to drive to work or drive to the doctor’s office or do other things that require a car. The cap-and-trade program is punishing the low-income people in our state.

“Governor Inslee’s policy is trying to impoverish Washingtonians into changing their driving behavior by making them stop driving gas-powered cars, and at the same time attempting to make it more expensive for many people to heat their homes because cap-and-trade will raise natural-gas prices as well,” added King. “This program championed by our governor is being unnecessarily cruel to many people in our state by causing fuel and heating prices to soar.”

King said that recent figures on state carbon emissions will not be available for quite some time, noting that DOE’s last report on emission data is from 2019, with the next report due in late 2024.

“How can anyone even assess whether cap-and-trade and all of Inslee’s other environmental programs are affecting air quality without the latest data? 2019 is a long time ago,” said King.

King noted only 11 states have regular gas prices over $4 a gallon – Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

“While most Americans are enjoying gas prices below $4 a gallon, Washington drivers are having to pay $5 or more a gallon, due to the cap-and-trade program, and it is only going to get worse,” said King.

King says Democrats’ attack on oil companies is attempt to steer focus from cap-and-trade’s effect on nation-leading gas prices

Sen. Curtis King, the ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee, said Gov. Jay Inslee is trying to deflect criticism aimed at him due to the major role that the state’s cap-and-trade program has played in Washington having the highest gas prices in the nation.

Inslee announced today that he wants legislation in 2024 targeting oil companies. King pointed out how Inslee pushed for the cap-and-trade program, which went into effect on Jan. 1 as part of the Climate Commitment Act passed by a Democrat-controlled Legislature in 2021.

“We have known since 2021, when the Climate Commitment Act was approved, that gas prices would rise significantly once the cap-and-trade program went into effect. That is exactly what has happened,” said King, R-Yakima. “It’s been much more than just ‘pennies a gallon,’ as the governor promised months ago. Several analysts reached the conclusion that cap-and-trade and other new environmental laws would raise the price of gas by 45-50 cents a gallon.

“The governor’s argument that oil companies are gouging gas consumers is not realistic. The plan all along was to create the cap-and-trade program and the low-carbon fuel standard so fuel prices would become a financial burden for drivers and get them to drive less and buy less fuel. Now that the cap-and-trade program is in place and causing gas prices to skyrocket, drivers are bitterly complaining about it, so the governor and his allies are trying to shift the blame instead of admitting that this is what they wanted all along.

“The governor today said he wants to find relief at the pump for drivers. If he really is serious, he’d show a willingness to alter the cap-and-trade program, if not eliminate it. Instead, the governor once again is demonizing oil companies instead of taking responsibility for the spike in gas prices this year.

“Blaming the brief pipeline shutdown for the highest gas prices in the nation is nonsense,” added King. “Gas prices have been on a steady rise since January, and it is caused by the cap-and-trade program. Our neighboring states, Oregon ($4.588 a gallon for regular gas) and Idaho ($3.892), have significantly lower gas prices than here in Washington ($4.928). They don’t have cap-and-trade. It’s clear that our state’s cap-and-trade program is why Washington has the highest gas prices in America.”

King noted that only six states currently have regular gas prices over $4 a gallon – Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

“While most of America is enjoying gas prices below $4 a gallon, Washington drivers have had to pay about $5 a gallon for several weeks. Thanks to the Inslee cap-and-trade program, prices here are bound to only keep climbing,” said King.

King: State needs to fast-track the rehiring of workers fired over COVID vaccine mandate

Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima and the ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee, issued this statement today in response to the news that King County Metro will fast-track the rehiring of workers who were fired for not complying with the county’s now-expired COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

“It’s time for Governor Inslee and his administration to follow King County Metro’s lead and quickly rehire state employees who were fired over not complying with the governor’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, especially those in high-demand fields like ferry workers.

“His heavy-handed and unnecessary mandate, which dragged on until mid-May, is a key reason why our state’s ferry system is woefully understaffed and failing to provide the reliable service people should be able to expect. With the summer tourist season upon us, it’s especially important to boost the ferry system’s workforce as soon as possible.

“Our citizens’ travel needs are negatively impacted daily because of the lack of ferry staff. Everyone knew there were staffing problems even before the governor’s mandate. His firing of ferry workers only exacerbated the problem.

“The governor has finally seen fit to end his vaccine mandate. Now he needs to fast-track the rehiring of workers he fired– and soon – so their skills and experience can once again benefit the people of our state.”

Legislature passes King bill that would help rural hospital in Toppenish

The outlook for the hospital that serves Toppenish and much of the lower Yakima Valley is brighter now that bipartisan legislation from Sen. Curtis King has won full legislative approval.

Senate Bill 5532 would provide enhanced payments to low-volume, small rural hospitals like Astria Toppenish Hospital. It specifically would require Medicaid payments for acute-care services to be made at 120% of the Medicaid fee schedule for inpatient services and 200% of the Medicaid fee schedule for outpatient services when services are provided by a hospital that meets certain requirements.

“It’s good to see the Legislature pass this important bill and send it to the governor,” said King, R-Yakima. “The bill is critical to the future of Astria Toppenish Hospital, and vital to the needs of the citizens of the lower Yakima Valley, our Hispanic community and the Yakama Tribe. Without this extra funding, the hospital is at risk of closing.”

The proposal received unanimous approval during each step through the Legislature. After the Senate originally passed SB 5532 on a 48-0 vote on March 6, the House of Representatives amended and then approved the altered proposal 98-0. The Senate today voted 48-0 to concur (or agree) with the House changes to the bill.

The House amendment would change the implementation date for increased hospital-reimbursement rates from Jan. 1, 2024, to July 1, 2024, and would make SB 5532 invalid unless it is funded in the state operating budget.