Fun taxed to death: Democrats take aim at joy in Washington

From hiking to hunting, concerts to car rentals, and even your favorite sporting events. Democrats in Olympia are finding new ways to tax it all. Their latest proposals read like a guide to killing weekend plans and punishing everyday fun: fee hikes for Discover Passes, fishing licenses, and liquor permits; new taxes on concerts, rental cars, and short-term stays; and even a 10-cent tax on every beverage container. It's not just nickel-and-diming—it’s joy-draining.

Here’s the lineup of fun-busting bills:

• Senate Bill 5390: Increases the Discover Pass fee by 50%.
• Senate Bill 5801: Imposes a new ticket fee for sporting events and concerts.
• House Bill 2031: Increases hunting and fishing license fees, including for youth and seniors.
• House Bill 1607: Adds a 10-cent per beverage container tax.
• Senate Bill 5576: Imposes new sales tax on Airbnb, VRBO, and other short-term rental homes.
• Senate Bill 5801: Doubles the rental car tax rate and applies the tax to peer-to-peer car sharing services.
• House Bill 2035: Increases liquor license fees by 50%, including banquet permits for weddings and events.
• House Bill 1517: Adds an additional tax on the sale of cell phones, smartwatches, and other devices.
• House Bill 2033: Imposes a nearly 50% tax on Zyn and similar smoking-cessation products.