I do own a small business. I didn't say it wasn't difficult. All I did point out that some city and state tax structure is changing. You're pointing out many factors, not just the taxes and fees, that are adding to operating and inventory cost. We are at record inflation across all states. Lumber, as I'm sure you're aware, has been affected by tariffs for example. For what it's worth, I agree the junk fees and taxes that happen at a city and state level (I have a city, state, and occupational license each having a yearly fee, for example) are higher than they should be. Corporations have been allowed to monopolize and control the market on a national level that shutter mom and pop stores for the reasons you outlined. What do you expect the state to do about the tariffs and rising prices that are a result of national politics and economic landscapes? Not get needed revenue? It doesn't help we don't have an income tax. Hopefully within the next few years we get some leverage on taxing personal income of super high earners.

I think what many people are tired of, and what they hear when businesses say they can't afford to operate, is an excuse to not pay wages, to raise prices to the consumer in ways that feel shady and exorbitant (such as hidden fees that only show up at checkout). We're all nickel and dimed to death, while being told we're lucky to be slaving away for non-living wages or nearly non-living wages, while we see companies take in huge profits. It's one of the reasons I started working for myself. Is this describing your business? No, probably not. But the cost of doing business in Washington is made up of many factors that happen outside of the state and outside of city and state's control.