Rep. Dan Kristiansen says there will be no new taxes

January 13, 2016

Response is coming in from lawmakers following the governor's State of the State address.  Ruth Johnson reports from Olympia.

Johnson:  The governor said four things must be accomplished this session.  Address the teacher shortage, wildfire control, mental health and create a plan for spending on K-12 education.  The price tag: hundreds of millions of dollars. Republican House leader Dan Kristiansen says at the end of the day he can’t back a call for a tax increase.  But objectives can be accomplished.

Kristiansen: “We’ve proven we’ve been able to do it over the last several years.  We’ve not raised taxes, and we’ve increased spending on education since 2013 by 33 percent.  We’ve cut college tuition.  We’ve given more money in mental health. We’ve proven we’ve not had to raise taxes.  We’ve gotten smarter about how we spend the money.”

Johnson:  Kristiansen says the governor’s remarks on employment did not take into account the numbers of people out of work and under-employed throughout the state.  Ruth Johnson, Olympia.