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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
When Democrats in Olympia proposed their so-called “millionaire’s income tax” legislation (Senate Bill 6346), the citizens of Washington state voiced their opinions loud and clear! The public hearing in the state Senate broke all records for public engagement with over 61,000 citizens officially signed in OPPOSED to the bill! They know that a “millionaire’s tax” today, will be “all of us” tomorrow.
The bill is now scheduled for a public hearing in the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 8:00 a.m. As of yesterday morning, over 20,000 people have signed in AGAINST the state income tax. You can join this movement by clicking here to register your opposition.
In a recent media request for our thoughts on the proposed state income tax, we said the following:
Rep. Hunter Abell, R-Inchelium:
“Washington’s constitution has been clear for nearly a century. A graduated income tax has been proposed, challenged, and rejected time and again because it violates the uniformity requirements that protect every taxpayer. Our state’s economic strength is not an accident. It is built in part on the certainty that we do not tax income, a distinction that has helped attract investment, entrepreneurs, and family-wage jobs. Undermining that foundation invites legal chaos and risks the competitive advantage Washington has worked hard to earn.”
Rep. Andrew Engell, R-Colville:
“Washingtonians have consistently rejected an income tax, and it is very disturbing that now they are planning to pass it without the needed constitutional amendment and confirmation vote by the people. To add insult to injury this bill has an emergency clause to prevent the people from easily requesting a referendum vote of the people. History shows that once a new tax is created, the threshold almost always comes down and more working families get pulled in, and if they get away with implementing this tax without a constitutional amendment the majority party can easily adjust the rates and income thresholds in any future year when they want to spend more money. Policies like this can discourage innovation, push employers and investors to friendlier states, and leave rural communities fighting even harder to keep jobs. We should be growing opportunity, not creating incentives for people and capital to leave Washington.”
In addition, here are a few recent media stories about the Democrat’s income tax plan:
- Radio update: Debate sharpens over whether high earners’ tax will stay limited to the wealthy (TVW Stories)
- Income tax bill passes WA Senate after hours of heated debate (The Center Square)
- WA income tax ‘necessity clause’ in bill to block referendum challenge (The Seattle Times) $
- Senate passes 9.9% income tax as Democrats acknowledge residents may be leaving Washington (KVI Radio)
- Former WA AG argues in legal memo proposed income tax is illegal (The Center Square)
- OPINION: The rule of law takes a hit in Washington state with unconstitutional income tax vote (Jason Mercier, Vice President and Director of Research of Mountain States Policy Center/The Center Square)
- OPINION: Senate shenanigans – Income tax debate, double-standards (Elizabeth New Hovde, Washington Policy Center/Clark County Today)
- OPINION: The “millionaires’ tax” isn’t about fairness — it’s about control (Chad Taylor, publisher and co-owner of The Chronicle/The Chronicle)
- COLUMN: Democrats rig the rules to block voters from killing their income tax, media finally takes notice (Jason Rantz/Seattle Red)
We urge you to let your voice be heard! It will only take a few moments of your time to submit written testimony or to simply officially register your opposition (or support if you are in favor of the bill).
Thank you for staying involved in YOUR state government!
Sincerely,
Hunter Abell
