“Things that happen after midnight: carriages turn back into pumpkins, vampires come out and Washington lawmakers pass massive tax increases.”

Jason Mercier, vice president and director of research at the Mountain States Policy Center, a think tank. After midnight on Tuesday, the Washington House passed three measures that would raise taxes on properties, electric vehicles and businesses. The state faces a $16 billion budget shortfall but legislators and Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson have yet to agree on the size and scope of any tax increases. (The Center Square)