A State Income Tax On The Wealthy? [WA state income tax alert!]

KOMO news (by way of KVI 570 AM) ^ | February 19, 2003 | Keith Eldridge

[Eala]

OLYMPIA - State lawmakers know it's a touchy topic, but the idea of a state income tax is resurfacing. However, this new plan would target the money only for education.

The challenge school districts face year after year is passing school levies. It's an inconsistent form of funding.

Now, the proposal being unveiled at the State Capitol is to pay for education partly with a state income tax with a flat rate of 2 percent.

"I have three sons that are still in school," said Parent Linda Schobay. "So if it's for their betterment of their future than I'm willing to pay the 2 percent."

But, not everyone would have to pay this tax.

"Those who have earnings as a single person of $500,000 or more," said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle).

Wait a minute. Did she say $500,000? Sen. Kohl-Welles says: "It's a flat state income tax that would affect only the very wealthy."

In fact, there are only 660 households in the state that would qualify. But, those few hundred people would be chipping in an estimated $462 million a year for education.

"I'm all for it, actually," said construction worker Scott O'Malley. "I think they get enough tax breaks as it is around here."

But don't jump to the conclusion everyone thinks that way. Construction worker Izell Cason says, "If there's going to be a state income tax, you can't just single out all of the wealthy people. It should go straight across the board, everybody."

Sen. Kohl-Welles admits there's not much chance of this passing this year. But, she wants to get the discussion going believing a state income tax on the rich is an idea whose time has arrived.

She adds that if her idea passes the legislature, it'll most likely go to a vote of the people.

For More Information:

You can read the full text of the proposed bill (SB 5902) at www.leg.wa.gov.

[Eala]

Yeah, sure it'll only be for the wealthy. Once passed, in no time at all making $20k/year will cause you to be considered "wealthy" -- for purposes of taxation.

SB 5902 needs to go down in flames.

[SeattleTiger]

I completely agree. Thanks for posting this.

[Wphile]

And it WON'T be just for education! Nothing ever remains as earmarked. Reminds me of the lottery money.

[GiveEmDubya]

Would this even make it through the new GOP state Senate majority or do we have a few RINOs in there?

[Aria]

We are already have the second highest taxes in the country! And one of the very worst economies. There will be no going back if they get away with this one.

[Avid Coug]

Those idiots in Olympia will try anything to get their foot in the door with a state income tax. This time its the time honored DNC tactic of class warfare. "Can't we all agree to be jealous and soak those undeserving rich ba______s?" Then like Eala says, all of a sudden we all be rich ba______s.

[Jason_b]

Famous last words. I seem to recall not so long ago in 1913 with the 16th Amendment the institution of the individual income tax that was to squeeze the wealthiest of the wealthy for only a very small amount. It was meant to make the wealthy Northeastern industrialists pay their fair share and asked for no more than that. And what, now even a waitress working for tips can't escape the clutches of the soulless IRS agent. The time for revolt is nearing.

[Wonder Warthog]

"The challenge school districts face year after year is passing school levies. It's an inconsistent form of funding."

Nah--it's just that school levies require a "supermajority" vote for passage. I have a better suggestion---let's extend that "supermajority" requirement to ANY increase in taxes or fees, and require a vote of the people on any of them. The damned Washington legislature 1) cannot be trusted, and 2) has dung for brains.

[Eala]

Jeanne Kohl-Welles
32 John A. Cherberg Building; P.O. Box 40436; Olympia, WA 98504-0436
Telephone: (360) 786-7670; Fax: (360) 786-7450; e-mail: kohl_je@leg.wa.gov

(About to be nominated for inclusion in the Washington State Legislators Hall of Shame.

[Eala]

Would this even make it through the new GOP state Senate majority or do we have a few RINOs in there?

If I were to have anything to say about it (and I do, at least here *\:-), this is going nowhere. Now, at least. The article even mentions that. But there needs to be enough ire aimed at her that this simply... vanishes.

[bigfootbob]

"Nah--it's just that school levies require a "supermajority" vote for passage. I have a better suggestion---let's extend that "supermajority" requirement to ANY increase in taxes or fees, and require a vote of the people on any of them."

There are 3 bills working right now to eliminate the supermajority provision. HB1212; HB4203; & HB4204 I hope you contact your reps and tell them not to support these bills.

They tried to pass a similar bill last session and it failed by ONE vote.

[Eala]

I seem to recall not so long ago in 1913 with the 16th Amendment the institution of the individual income tax that was to squeeze the wealthiest of the wealthy for only a very small amount.

Exactly. It's the same old shell game.

[BADROTOFINGER]

I didnt even get past the first line of the story...

However, this new plan would target the money only for education.

That is exactly what they said about the lottery, and some midnight vote pumped that cash into the general fund. What a bunch of a$$hole$...JFK

[Chad Fairbanks]

How many times can they say, "If you let us do this, we will do ONLY this, and the money will go to here..."??? They did it with the damned stadium, they did it with the seatbelt laws, sound transit etc....

They lie. Period.

[Waco]

Wonder if it'll be enough to get B. Gates to move to Fla.?

[Wonder Warthog]

"They lie. Period."

Of course. Politicians are like toilet paper--they get dirty after being used. The best cure for this is TERM LIMITS for ALL elective offices at ALL levels of government.