Articles written by Sen. Mark Schoesler


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  • Public safety failures the legacy of 2023

    Sen. Mark Schoesler|Updated May 5, 2023

    This session saw some bipartisan successes as lawmakers and citizens were in Olympia together for the first time in nearly three years. That in-person interaction is always key for working relationships and good workable solutions to our state’s problems. The transportation budget and capital budget were both very bipartisan. Republicans were allowed to give input and Democrat budget writers worked to fund projects important to legislators on both sides of the aisle. Sen. Schoesler was the lead negotiator for Senate R...

  • State capital gains income tax upheld

    Sen. Mark Schoesler|Updated Mar 30, 2023

    Ever since legislative Democrats passed a law (Senate Bill 5096) two years ago creating a capital gains state income tax in Washington, observers on both sides of the political aisle have been waiting for the controversial law to make its way to the state Supreme Court, where the court’s nine justices would decide whether the law was constitutional. Following a hearing in late January, the Supreme Court on March 24 issued its ruling, one that has opponents of this tax shaking their heads in disbelief. The court upheld the c...

  • Schoesler: Address school maintainance 

    Sen. Mark Schoesler|Updated Jan 26, 2023

    For the fifth straight year, I’ve introduced a bill that aims to help school districts in Washington address their building-maintenance needs. Senate Bill 5403 would allow school districts to create a “depreciation subfund” that can receive a transfer of up to 2% of a school district’s general fund each fiscal year. This bill would provide another path for school districts to handle building- or facility-maintenance needs. Sometimes it can be better for a school district to pay cash for a building repair or to set aside m...

  • Schoesler: Fuel price rising

    Sen. Mark Schoesler, Cheney Free Press|Updated Jan 12, 2023

    CHENEY — A local lawmaker says two environmental laws from the Democratic-controlled Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee that took effect Jan. 1 are already causing a fuel price increase. Republican Sen. Mark Schoesler or Ritzville, who represents the 9th Legislative District, said the Washington Independent Energy Distributors Association is reporting the increase in less than a week of new laws taking effect. Wholesale gasoline and diesel prices have risen statewide as a result of the “cap-and-tax” law and the law creating...

  • Worst bill of the week

    Sen. Mark Schoesler, Contributor|Updated Feb 3, 2022

    Last week, I wrote that two bills addressing the state’s flawed and controversial long-term care program (nicknamed the “short-term care program”) and the costly payroll tax (dubbed the “long-term tax”) funding it had come over to the Senate after being passed by the House. The Senate fast-tracked these two measures this week, as the Ways and Means Committee held public hearings on them Monday and then approved them Tuesday. The full Senate yesterday passed the two bills, sending them to Gov. Jay Inslee for his likely si...

  • Gov. Inslee should offer tax relief

    Sen. Mark Schoesler, Contributor|Updated Dec 23, 2021

    With Christmas coming up, I’ve been out shopping for gifts for family members. During these busy times, I’m sure all of you have noticed (like I have) that many items in stores – especially groceries – have increased quite a bit in recent months due to inflation. Now, you’d think Gov. Jay Inslee would be well aware of the financial hardship that this historic inflation — we’re talking the worst inflation since the early 1970s — is causing families and individuals statewide. Judging by the rollout of his state supplemental op...

  • Senate operating budget is proof Democrats can't resist higher spending

    Sen. Mark Schoesler, Contributor|Updated Apr 8, 2021

    The Senate operating budget for 2021-23 was approved on April 1 by a 27-22 vote, with two Democrats joining all Republicans in opposition. It is fitting this plan (Senate Bill 5092) was passed on April Fools’ Day. The sharp spending increase found in this budget can be viewed as a bad joke on Washington taxpayers. Total spending in the Senate budget is $59.5 billion. It’s $7 billion more than the current budget, or equal to a 13% increase in spending. If the Senate plan is enacted, the operating budget will have grown by ove...

  • Democrats have many proposals to raise or create taxes

    SEN. MARK SCHOESLER, Contributor|Updated Mar 4, 2021

    Democrats in Washington’s Legislature traditionally haven’t been shy about raising taxes. This legislative session is no different. In fact, there are several Democrat-sponsored proposals that would increase existing taxes or create new ones. State income tax: The Senate Ways and Means Committee recently passed Senate Bill 5096, a proposal requested by Gov. Jay Inslee creating a state income tax on capital gains. Voters have rejected a state income tax proposal 10 times over the past 85 years. A recent statewide Elway Pol...

  • Businesses need your help during outbreak

    Sen. Mark Schoesler|Updated Apr 2, 2020

    Some years back, in the biggest town in a small county outside our 9th District, there was a clothing store. Upstairs was the office of the area’s weekly newspaper. Week after week, year after year, the clothing store published the same advertisement in the newspaper, displaying its name, address and a drawing of a coat rack, to signal what people could buy there. No brand names, no sale prices, nothing else. The message this ad sent was clear and reassuring: “We’re still here.” It’s a complete understatement to say the f...