2026 Legislative Priorities

The cost of doing business in Washington continues to rise. Many of these costs are passed on to residents, adding pressure to the broader affordability crisis.

Businesses also face a high tax burden compared to other states, which can limit their ability to grow, hire, and compete.

Key Challenges: 

• New and upcoming regulations, especially in employment law, are increasing costs for businesses.
• Washington ranks 45th overall in business tax competitiveness in 2025.
• In 2022, state and local taxes paid by Washington businesses were 18.8% above the national average.
• Predictive scheduling laws may be proposed again.
• Infrastructure projects need greater accountability.
• Continued minimum wage increases create added pressure for small businesses.

Proposed Solutions: 

• Reduce the tax burden on businesses so they can continue supporting the local economy.
• Review current budget spending before adding new taxes.
• Require fiscal analysis and clear disclosure of how proposed taxes would affect businesses.
• Carefully balance the cost of new regulations with the needs of employees.

Businesses in Skagit County face hiring challenges due to limited qualified applicants, high living costs, transportation barriers, and inadequate childcare options.

Addressing these issues will help local employers retain workers and attract new talent to the area.

Key Challenges:

• Workforce development programs do not always match employer needs.
• Limited childcare availability affects workforce participation.
• Public transportation gaps make commuting difficult for employees.
• Housing affordability affects both employee retention and employer recruitment.

Proposed Solutions:

• Support workforce training that matches regional employer needs.
• Expand state funding for childcare providers.
• Consider tax breaks for businesses that offer on site childcare.
• Invest in regional transportation infrastructure to improve access for commuters.

Reliable infrastructure is essential for Skagit County businesses to operate efficiently and support future growth.

Aging infrastructure and increasing energy demands create risks for business operations, transportation, housing, and economic stability.

Key Challenges:

• Electrical grid reliability is not keeping pace with current and future demand.
• Grid concerns create operational risks for businesses, especially in technology and manufacturing.
• Aging bridges and ferry systems affect transportation and commerce.
• Aging municipal infrastructure limits housing, commercial, and industrial development.

Proposed Solutions:

• Accelerate funding for long term maintenance plans, including electrical grid modernization.
• Support renewable energy integration where practical.
• Prioritize state investment in aging transportation and municipal infrastructure.
• Focus on key bridges, ferries, and systems that directly affect commerce.

Investing in education helps build a capable and competitive workforce for the future. Skagit County businesses depend on well educated workers to remain innovative and meet industry demands.

Current challenges include limited funding for early childhood education, limited trade pathways, and unfunded mandates that place pressure on local schools.

Key Challenges:

• Limited support for trade education and secondary pathways affects career opportunities.
• Early childhood education remains underfunded.
• Funding gaps can affect long term workforce readiness.
• Schools need better support to meet state mandates.

Proposed Solutions:

• Advocate for increased funding for trade schools and apprenticeships.
• Support traditional college pathways while expanding career connected learning.
• Support state level grants for early childhood education centers and workforce scholarships.
• Require transparent reporting on education funding.
• Fully fund state education mandates so schools can meet requirements.

Accessible healthcare, including behavioral health services, directly affects workforce productivity and community well being.

Small businesses often struggle with high costs and limited options for employee health insurance.

Key Challenges:

• Limited behavioral health resources affect employee wellness and public safety.
• A lack of health insurance provider competition increases premiums.
• High insurance costs limit affordability for small businesses.

Key Challenges:

• Advocate for policies that bring more health insurance providers to Washington.
• Support options that increase competition and affordability for small businesses.
• Consider regulatory changes that make it easier for out of state insurers to participate.
• Expand funding for mental health services in rural and underserved areas.