Our representatives said, “The proposal to impose a state income tax on high earners should give Washington taxpayers pause.”
Why? A higher tax for those who pull the most money from Washington to pay the most money to Washington makes sense. Taxing theory has always been, you pay according to ability. Washington’s regressive tax structure hurts the people on the bottom, which is the place the majority of the people in LD7 inhabit. Who do you work for Reps Abell and Engell?
Abell and Engell’s arguments against this tax? Like always, fear-based talking points that don’t hold water:
The tax level will be lowered: if it happens, fight it then instead of forgoing revenue now.
The rich will leave: maybe some will; that’s their choice and loss. The rich don’t get to hold us hostage.
The constitution says no: I guess we’ll find out on this one.
Republicans are happy to impact people’s lives by taking away health care, SNAP, education, energy credits, bodily autonomy, and voting rights. What they miss is that government is meant to make people’s lives better, not worse. For all people, not just the rich. This tax will fund child care, early learning, health care, expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit, and more. This tax is an investment in the people of Washington. And 60% of Washingtonians support it.
What Abell and Engell should be concerned about is the fraud perpetrated on their constituents by the misuse of the legislative response tool.