Together - Let's Elevate Washington

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Washingtonians were the victims of more violent crimes than at any point since the mid-1990s.

Murder: All-time high in 2020, up 80% from 2015. 2023 on track for worst yet. 

Rape: Up 40% from five years ago. In 2019, the most rapes on record since 1995.

Aggravated Assault: Up 50% from five years. 

Property Crime: Washington ranks 2nd worst in the country in property crime rate over the last five years. 

Law Enforcement Officers: Per capita Washington ranks dead last in the country. 

Democrat Action: Passed bill that will allow over 750 prisoners each year with violent/sex crimes in their history out of prison early. (SB 5121 )

Passed bills that make enforcement of laws much more difficult (HB 1310 and HB 1054 in 2021).   

•Lack of childcare access is estimated to have cost over $1 billion in state revenues in 2020 and over $16 billion in personal income as parents are unable to enter or reenter the workforce. 

•Over half of parents have had to either reduce hours or quit their jobs entirely due to childcare accessibility. 

•Washington state ranks in the top ten of states with the least affordable childcare. Costs in King County can reach up to almost $19,000 per year.

•Overregulation and uncertainty is impacting small business owners –childcare facilities are facing increased regulatory costs and diminished income causing closures for 13% of providers. 

•Washington ranks 43rd in home ownership, and declining -At the end of 2020, only 63% owned homes.

•Minority homeownership is scarcer.  Only 28% of African Americans own vs. rent, and just 37% of Hispanics.   

•Produced 225,000 fewer housing units than needed in last 15 years – 8th worst in USA. 

•Housing underproduction impacts renters–Washington renters spent the 7th highest percent of income on median rent in the USA.

• Taxes recently enacted by Democrats will cost median family another $1,000 a year. 
• The 12th highest state and local tax burden in the country in 2018 ($5,960 vs. $5,150 national) 
• 22 new tax increases during 2019-21 
• State spending is up 90% last decade. 
• Roughly four times faster than inflation.  
• More than twice as fast as wage growth.   

Three largest? 

1. Property tax levy hike– $8.7 billion.  
2. Payroll tax for long-term care – $8 billion.  
3. Capital Gains Income Tax – $5.7 billion.

• Washington (and California) saw country’s largest increase in unsheltered and chronically homeless in last decade.
• Outside of Washington and California, the rest of the nation saw a 34% decline in unsheltered homeless. 
• Washington is following California’s failed track record of low-barrier housing and allowing open drug use on the streets. 

Democrat Action: Voted to allow homeless encampments on school property (2021 budget amendment).