Washington state’s ‘millionaires tax’ wins former Gov. Jay Inslee’s endorsement

Two former Democratic governors, Christine Gregoire and Gary Locke, have stopped short of supporting the measure, instead expressing skepticism about lawmakers’ tax-and-spend priorities in Olympia.

Inslee, who served as governor from 2013 to 2025, called the law an “important step” to right the state’s regressive tax code.

“I would have proudly signed the Millionaires Tax if it had come to my desk as governor, and I support Governor Ferguson and the legislature continuing to reform the upside down tax code so that we can keep essential services and reduce the tax burden on low- and middle-income households,” Inslee wrote.