“No, I really don’t, as evidence by, you mentioned the estate tax,” Gregoire said.
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- Christine Gregoire attacked her fellow Democrats in the Washington state legislature after the state’s recent millionaires’ tax.
- We’re beyond the highest.” Though Washington’s estate tax was raised to 35%, a recent bill passed in April has since rolled back the rate to 20% after backlash.
Former Washington Governor Christine Gregoire has publicly criticized her fellow Democrats in the state legislature for their handling of the recent millionaires' tax, arguing that such policies are driving wealthy residents out of Washington.
Speaking at the Association of Washington Business 2026 Spring Summit on May 6, Gregoire expressed skepticism about whether lawmakers fully grasp the economic consequences of their decisions.
She pointed to the state's estate tax, which was raised to 35%, making it the highest in the nation, before being rolled back to 20% following significant backlash. 'We were the highest in the country, tied with Hawaii at 20%. We went to 35%. We're not just the highest. We're beyond the highest,' she stated, emphasizing the detrimental effects of such tax increases.
Gregoire's remarks highlight a growing concern among some Democrats about the potential negative impact of high taxation on the state's economy and its ability to retain affluent residents.
This debate comes amid ongoing discussions about fiscal policy and economic growth in Washington, as lawmakers navigate the complexities of taxation and its implications for the state's future.
Left- and right-leaning outlets are covering this story differently — in which facts to emphasize, which context to include, and how to frame causes and consequences.