By Lyset Cadena
Contract Lobbyist, Bellevue Chamber
The 2026 session came to an end at 8:24 pm on March 12th and proved to be among the most turbulent in recent years and may help set the stage for a highly competitive election cycle. Debate over the proposed Millionaire’s Income Tax has begun to reverberate beyond the Capitol, with primary challengers emerging in several districts to criticize majority Democrats either for supporting the measure or for failing to support it strongly enough. The issue has exposed longstanding divisions within the Democratic caucus, suggesting the political consequences of the session may extend well into 2027. Two additional retirements were also announced this week: Capital Budget Chair Representative Steve Tharinger (D) and Senator Judy Warnick (R) both confirmed they will not seek reelection, adding to the growing number of lawmakers departing the Legislature.
Much of the final afternoon and evening of Sine Die was consumed by negotiations over, and eventual floor action on, HB 6231, legislation repealing a tax exemption for certain data centers, including large facilities located in Quincy. The proposal drew strong opposition from Republicans, who argued that eliminating the exemption would harm economic development in rural communities and undermine commitments previously made to local governments. The stakes were particularly high because the operating budget relied on approximately $63 million in projected revenue from repealing the exemption. Some lawmakers warned that failure to pass the bill could force the governor to call a special session to rebalance the budget. Ultimately, HB 6231 passed both chambers, and the operating budget that depended on the revenue was also approved, allowing the Legislature to conclude the session on schedule. Democratic Representatives Richards (D), Rule (D), Scott (D), Shavers (D), and Walen (D) joined Republicans in voting against the operating budget.