U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) publicly praised a Washington state lawmaker this week for helping pass what he called the state’s “first-ever income tax” following a marathon legislative debate in Olympia.
Kelly made the remarks in a post on X congratulating Washington Rep. Liz Berry (D-Seattle), who represents the state’s 36th Legislative District and previously worked for Kelly’s wife, former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords.
.@LizBerryWA is a Washington State lawmaker who worked for @GabbyGiffords and just helped pass the state's first-ever income tax on millionaires – after 25 straight hours of debate on the House floor. Gabby and I are proud of you, Liz. pic.twitter.com/KbFED6jxLY
— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) March 15, 2026
“@LizBerryWA is a Washington State lawmaker who worked for @GabbyGiffords and just helped pass the state’s first-ever income tax on millionaires – after 25 straight hours of debate on the House floor,” Kelly wrote. “Gabby and I are proud of you, Liz.”
NEW: Sen. Mark Kelly says he is "proud" of his wife's former staffer, Rep. Liz Berry from WA’s 36th legislative district, for passing the state's "first ever income tax."
Democrats are "proud" when they steal your money
This should be in every campaign ad against Berry pic.twitter.com/M0oMRvtMjp
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) March 15, 2026
Kelly also shared a news article about the legislation along with the post.
Berry is currently up for reelection in the 2026 election cycle, with Washington state House seats appearing on the ballot every two years.
After the bill cleared the Legislature, Berry also highlighted the vote on social media by sharing a Facebook post from fellow Democratic lawmaker Rep. Noel Frame, one of the architects of the income tax proposal. In the post shared by Berry, Frame wrote: “Breaking – the Senate has just concurred in the House amendments to the Millionaires Tax, and this historic tax reform is going to the governor’s desk! I am so excited to pass this transformative change to fix our upside-down tax code, provide major tax cuts for small businesses and working families, and provide more funding for the schools, health care, and higher education that we all know Washingtonians are counting on. This is a day for celebration after years of work!”
The remarks came after the Washington State House approved Senate Bill 6346, which imposes a 9.9 percent tax on annual income above $1 million. The bill passed on a 51–46 vote following more than 24 hours of continuous debate on the House floor.
Democrats have framed the policy as a targeted tax on high earners, often referring to it as a “millionaire’s tax.” Critics, however, have long described the proposal as a state income tax, arguing it establishes the framework for a broader tax system that could expand over time.
The debate has intensified amid concerns about Washington’s business climate and the possibility of capital flight from the state.
On the same day the legislation passed the House, Starbucks founder Howard Schultz announced that he and his family are leaving Seattle and relocating to Florida after more than four decades in the city.
In a LinkedIn post, Schultz said he and his wife Sheri had entered a new phase of life and recently moved to Miami. Schultz did not mention the tax legislation directly in his statement. However, the timing of the announcement fueled criticism from opponents of the policy, who argue that Washington’s tax and regulatory environment is pushing wealthy residents and businesses to relocate.
The debate is unfolding as Starbucks has reduced parts of its presence in Seattle, including closing several stores in recent years amid safety concerns and declining foot traffic. The company has also laid off corporate workers and announced plans to expand some operations outside Washington, including a corporate office in Nashville, Tennessee.
Opponents of the new tax warn it could accelerate a broader exodus of investment and talent from Washington to states with lower tax burdens such as Florida and Tennessee.
The policy represents one of the most significant changes to Washington’s tax structure in decades and comes despite a long history of voters rejecting statewide income tax proposals at the ballot box.
Kelly’s remarks highlighting the bill as Washington’s “first-ever income tax” quickly drew attention online, particularly from critics who note that Democratic leaders in Olympia have repeatedly argued the measure is not technically an income tax, but rather a tax targeted at millionaires.
The law is expected to face legal challenges, with opponents arguing it conflicts with longstanding Washington Supreme Court rulings that classify income as property under the state constitution, which requires property taxes to be uniform.
