Rep. Gloria Mendoza warns income tax would hurt farms and rural jobs

During final passage debate on Senate Bill 6347, Rep. Gloria Mendoza, R-Grandview, spoke in opposition to a proposed state income tax, highlighting its impact on farmers, farm workers, and rural communities in Washington’s 14th District.

Mendoza said farms in her district are already operating on razor-thin margins due to rising costs for fuel, fertilizer, labor, and water. She warned that adding an income tax could force more family farms to close, leading to job losses and long-term damage to local economies that depend on agriculture.

She also emphasized that rural communities would bear the brunt of policies driven by urban priorities, with fewer jobs, reduced local spending, and potential loss of agricultural investment to other states.

The bill passed the House on March 10 following a 24.5-hour floor debate, with Republicans offering dozens of amendments—most of which were rejected by majority Democrats. All Republicans voted against the bill on final passage.

Learn more from my website: https://gloriamendoza.houserepublicans.wa.gov