“It’s going to be a lot easier to help grow the state’s economy if we have a sensible approach to taxation,” says Microsoft President Brad Smith. (GeekWire File Photo / Kevin Lisota)A coalition of Washington state business leaders released a letter Wednesday urging state lawmakers to reconsider recently proposed tax and budget measures, echoing concerns raised by Gov. Bob Ferguson this week.The proposals, if approved, “would result in the largest tax increases in state history, perpetuating a dangerous trend of unsustainable spending growth,” reads the letter to state House and Senate leaders, signed by the executives of four major business organizations and 65 other business leaders from across the state.“I actually think it’s an almost unprecedented outpouring of support from across the business community,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith in an interview. “From the border of Idaho to the Pacific Ocean and from Canada to Oregon, the business community in the state is remarkably united on this.”Two weeks ago, Senate Democratic budget leaders unveiled their revenue proposal for the 2025–27 budget. The plan includes a new 5% payroll tax on large employers, along with a “financial intangibles” tax targeting high-net-worth individuals.The proposal comes amid a projected state budget shortfall of up to $16 billion. Additional measures under consideration include lifting limits on property tax increases and reducing the statewide sales tax rate.At a news conference Tuesday, Ferguson said he would not sign the current 2025-27 state budget proposals from either the House or the Senate

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