OLYMPIA… The state Senate’s majority Democrats today moved Washington closer to the largest set of tax increases in state history, sending the first wave of this year’s Democrat tax hikes to Gov. Bob Ferguson.

The three major tax bills receiving final legislative approval from majority Democrats are: a sales-tax increase that will hit lower- and middle-income families harder, an increase in the income tax on capital gains; and a collection of tax increases that includes a new tax on self-storage rentals. The votes today all endorsed changes made by the House to the bills.

Sen. Chris Gildon of Puyallup, Senate Republican budget leader, offered this reaction following the Senate votes:

“The Democrats are absolutely determined to take more money from the people this year, even though Republicans have proven we can have a new budget without a single tax increase or any cuts to services – and the governor is on the record as opposing tax increases on Washington’s working families.

“With three days left in this session, the bad news for taxpayers is far from over. Republicans will keep fighting against these tax increases until the gavel falls for the final time this session, but as we told him in a letter yesterday, we expect the governor will have to become the final line of defense. There’s a showdown coming.”

Sen. Nikki Torres of Pasco, assistant budget leader, said this:

“Our Democratic colleagues wouldn’t need all these taxes if their spending wasn’t completely out of control – but even worse, their priorities are way off. On top of the billions upon billions in tax increases they’re pushing through, they also want to make a huge cut in funding for post-partum maternity care. It’s unbelievable.

“Between the sales-tax increase approved today and the property-tax bill that is coming, the lower- and moderate-income families across our state are going to be hit hard – as consumers, homeowners, and renters. After all that talk from the majority about going after the wealthy in our state, their real priority seems to be taking money wherever they can find it.”