The State of Washington's new "Millionaire Tax" has the potential to influence everything from investment decisions to hiring plans and long-term growth. At a time when economic uncertainty is already shaping how businesses operate, understanding the real implications of this new tax is critical.
CEOtoCEO has assembled a panel that brings together key voices to help business leaders cut through the noise and the promotional sound bites to focus on the new law and what matters most for businesses in Washington State.
If you're responsible for guiding a business forward, managing risk, planning expansion, or protecting margins, this discussion seeks to deliver the clarity you need.
Policies like this don't exist in a vacuum; they ripple through the broader business environment. This event is designed to give you practical, relevant insight so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
For small and midsize business owners across Washington, this is a conversation you can't afford to miss.
The panel will provide a straightforward, fact-based look at Washington's Millionaire Tax, examining both its intended benefits and its potential consequences. Experts will explore what the proposal could mean for those directly impacted, as well as the broader fiscal outlook for the state, including revenue projections and economic competitiveness.
Expect a dynamic, nonpartisan conversation grounded in data, experience, and real-world impact. Whether you're seeking clarity, perspective, or a deeper understanding of what lies ahead, this event will equip you with the knowledge to navigate what could be one of the most consequential policy discussions facing Washington's business community.
Panelist-Steven Hatting is President & CEO of the Washington Policy Center, leading efforts to expand advocacy, strengthen community, and inspire philanthropy to drive meaningful policy change and improve Washington's future. He works closely with both new and longtime supporters through education, events, giving initiatives, and the organization's Pillar Society.
Steven's commitment to free-market principles is rooted in a belief that individuals and communities thrive through innovation, opportunity, and personal initiative. With experience across education, philanthropy, and community engagement, he has seen how sound policy and active civic participation can address challenges and create pathways for success. His leadership emphasizes accountability, transparency, and stewardship in building strong institutions and vibrant communities.
Having played key roles in seven capital campaigns totaling nearly $15 billion, Steven is continually inspired by the generosity of donors and the impact of their giving. He views each contribution as both a choice and an investment in better lives.
He holds a BA in Political Science from Iowa State University and attended the University of Washington Foster Executive MBA program. Outside work, he enjoys sports, travel, and time outdoors with his family.
Panelist-Ryan Frost serves as the Director of Budget and Tax Policy at the Washington Policy Center. He brings over a decade of experience in public sector finance and legislative analysis to the role.
Previously, Frost was the Managing Director of the Pension Integrity Project at the Reason Foundation, where he led research on retirement system design and its accompanying budget impacts, testifying before legislative committees across the country.
Prior to his work at Reason, he spent seven years as the Senior Research and Policy Manager for the Washington State Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters' (LEOFF 2) Plan 2 Retirement Board. In that capacity, he conducted fiscal studies for the state legislature and drafted multiple pieces of adopted legislation.
Frost holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government from Pacific Lutheran University.
Moderator-Eric Johnson is one of the most respected broadcasters in Northwest television. He worked in various markets across the region over the course of a nearly 40-year career, including Boise, Spokane, and Portland, while spending the last 31 years at KOMO-TV in Seattle. Prior to his retirement in June of this year, he anchored the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts at KOMO-TV.
Eric's career began as a sportscaster, with his early positions at KBCI and KTVB in Boise, KREM in Spokane, and KGW in Portland. He joined KOMO News in 1993 as a weekend sportscaster, eventually transitioning to news anchor. His storytelling prowess has earned him over 50 regional Emmy Awards and seven National Edward R. Murrow Awards. Eric has also produced several acclaimed documentaries, including "Seattle is Dying," a groundbreaking piece viewed more than 20 million times, and "The Fight for the Soul of Seattle."
Raised in the Spokane Valley, Eric attended East Valley High School and later majored in broadcasting at the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications at Washington State University.
