From: Washington State PTA President and Advocacy Director
Date: February 18, 2026
Dear PTA Members,
If you’ve been following the news lately, you’ve likely heard about SB 6346 and HB 2724 – commonly called the “Millionaires Tax.” These bills propose a 9.9% tax on individuals with annual adjusted gross income over $1 million, affecting an estimated one-half of one percent of Washington households. With so much discussion happening at the state level, we wanted to share WSPTA’s position with you directly.
Why We’re Not Supporting (Yet)
Many legislators and supporters are framing this tax as a way to fund our schools. We wish we could wholeheartedly embrace this bill. Advocating for the well-being and education of all children so that every child’s potential becomes a reality is at the heart of WSPTA’s mission. WSPTA’s platform specifically calls for tax policies that are fair, equitable, and provide stable, adequate revenues for public education and programs that benefit children and youth.
However, we have serious concerns about whether this bill will actually deliver for our children.
Here’s why: While SB 6346 states that the intent is to maintain and preserve essential governmental services within K-12 education, health care, higher education, and human services by depositing revenues from this act into the General Fund, none of the revenues are actually dedicated to these purposes. There ARE portions of the revenues dedicated to B&O tax relief, local government public defense funding, and some tax relief for families, but this is not enough. WSPTA would like a significant portion of the revenues dedicated specifically to K-12 education and other programs that support the health and welfare of children. For example, the bill could list a percentage of the new revenues directed to the Education Legacy Trust Account, with language that the additional revenues must be used for K-12 education.
The Paramount Duty
Washingtonians overwhelmingly support public education. A January 2025 poll found 74% of Washington voters support increased K-12 funding, which is consistent with past polling numbers.
SB 6346 even quotes the Washington State Constitution in its intent section by saying these new revenues can “help the state meet its paramount duty to make ample provision for the education of all children in the state, including children who qualify for special education services, creating the opportunity for each child to succeed in school and achieve success in life.”
We agree with that vision. But intent does not equal action.
The Track Record We’re Concerned About
Our concern isn’t theoretical. While we understand the argument that more revenue grows the pie so that everyone will get a bigger slice, this would not be the first time the legislature has not followed through on promises to fund our schools. Not only did the Supreme Court have to mandate the legislature fully fund K12 according to its plan, but it took the Legislature six years to comply with this order. Since the McCleary “solution” in 2018 the state budget has substantially increased, yet K12’s share of the budget has dropped by nearly ten percentage points and inflation has further eroded what those dollars actually buy; according to OSPI even with last year’s added funding, the inflation-adjusted state funding for K-12 has gone down by $250 per student – or $275 million. And most recently, Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental budget would shift about $150 million of excess capital gains revenues destined for school construction back into the general fund.
Meanwhile, our school districts are in crisis. Many are using voter-approved levy dollars just to keep the lights on and are covering basic costs like materials, supplies, and operating costs (MSOC), student transportation, and services for students with disabilities. We’re seeing a record number of districts in, or at risk of, binding conditions, which is one step short of bankruptcy.
In the 2024 – 2025 school year statewide there were huge funding gaps in basic education costs:
- At least $63 million in student transportation.
- Almost $190 million for substitute teachers and other school staff.
- More than $141 million just for utilities and insurance.
- And over $200 million for other materials, supplies, and operating costs.
While we greatly appreciate the investment the legislature made in Special Education last session, it still does not cover the full range of services needed by students with disabilities which the legislature’s own auditing agency reported were underfunded at more than $500 million in the 2024-25 school year.
Not only is the legislature not promising to close any of these funding gaps in the current session, which total over $1 billion, they’re about to roll out budget proposals that will actually cut K-12 funding and programs that support student success. This is on top of continued rising costs, inflation and growing student needs that widen the gaps even further.
What You Can Do
There’s still time for legislators to adjust course. WSPTA encourages local and council PTAs to discuss this important issue and choose the advocacy approach that best fits your members’ priorities, rooted in our collective mission to be strong advocates for the well-being and education of all children.
While local and council PTAs are welcome to make their own decisions about this bill, WSPTA’s position reflects our responsibility to support our member-adopted platform and ensure that new revenue translates into real resources for our schools and children statewide – not just good intentions.
Moving Forward Together
WSPTA’s member– adopted platform supports fair and equitable tax policies that provide stable, adequate revenues for public education and programs that benefit children and youth. We want to support SB 6346 / HB 2724.
But first, we need to see the legislature demonstrate that when they say education funding is the state’s paramount duty, they mean it. And we need to see legislators give more than just lip service to the crucial wrap– around support services so sorely needed by kids and families across Washington.
Our children deserve predictable, dedicated funding to support their education and wellbeing. When the legislature is ready to make that commitment in the bill itself, we’ll be ready to stand with them.
Thank you for your continued advocacy for all of Washington’s children.
In partnership,
Tori Emerson
President, Washington State PTA
Megan Larkin
Advocacy Director, Washington State PTA
To learn more or take action, visit https://www.wastatepta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/ or contact your legislators directly to ask them to amend SB 6346 / HB 2724 to dedicate substantial revenue to the Education Legacy Trust Account.
Learn more and take action by clicking on the links below:
AESD Data Dashboard: https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMzNiMGJlMjUtMTcwNC00YWMwLTg0ODktYTU5Zjg3NGJmOWJmIiwidCI6ImE5ZWIyNzExLTg0M2YtNDhjMC04M2NkLWM0M2FjNjAwOTgzMSJ9
Sign up for WSPTA Action Alerts: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/subscribe-to-wsptas-action-network-group
Active Action Alerts: https://www.wastatepta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/action-alerts/
WSPTA Top 5 and Also Supported Legislative Priorities: https://www.wastatepta.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-2026-WSPTA-Legislative-Priorities.v2.pdf
Closing the Funding Gaps 1 pager: https://www.wastatepta.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Closing-the-Funding-Gaps-2026.pdf