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Budget & Taxes


Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy, and ranking Republican on the House Environment Committee, took issue with Gov. Inslee’s proposed energy tax scheme today, saying it relied on sketchy science, limited studies, broad...

Dec. 17, 2014

Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly short give a detailed outline of the job-creation policies they support in the Legislature and how the governor and House Democrats would rather create a larger...

April 12, 2013

Failure of majority Democrats to reach agreement on state budget leads lawmakers into special legislative session After 103 days and the year-long knowledge of a looming fiscal crisis this session, the...

April 22, 2011

By Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short It’s no secret Washington is in a financial hole. The current budget is still $600 million in deficit and the projected spending gap for...

Feb. 1, 2011

By Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short Thank you to everyone who called and wrote us during the legislative session. Your input is always incredibly valuable. In this column, we will...

May 10, 2010

‘With local economies continuing to struggle, and with families trying to keep food on the table, farmers markets are playing a more vital role for both,’ says Short Legislation introduced during...

April 1, 2010

Democrats’ budget relies on largest tax increase in state history to continue failed budget policies In what Republican Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short called an “unconscionable move,” majority Democrats in...

March 6, 2010

‘I just feel like our arguments and our statistics have fallen on deaf ears within the majority party and in the governor’s office,’ says Schmick Despite a House Democrat budget proposal...

Feb. 26, 2010

‘The voters want tax increases to be a last resort not the first option when it comes to dealing with years of overspending,’ says Kretz Washington state taxpayers had their voices...

Feb. 18, 2010

OP-ED by Reps. Joel Kretz and Shelly Short Our economy is struggling – our local papers are streamlining to save money, our small employers are cutting back expenses and our families...

April 7, 2009