New Taxes Hit Washington Businesses & Debate Over Defining Domestic Extremism | Weekly Recap

Washington businesses and consumers are bracing for new taxes that took effect Oct. 1 as part of the 2025–27 state budget. The changes expand the retail sales tax to additional services and raise B&O tax rates for banks and large service firms, expected to generate billions in new revenue. Meanwhile, debate continues within the Attorney General’s Domestic Extremism and Mass Violence Task Force over whether “domestic violent extremism” can be clearly defined without infringing on legally protected speech. Walla Walla County Sheriff Mark Crider and others raised concerns about the task force’s mission and potential overreach and more