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Posted on 04/16/2009 5:22:58 PM PDT by llevrok
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Lawmakers may ask voters to approve a sales tax increase and create a state income tax. Whether voters would support either measure, is not clear.
Representative Eric Pettigrew, D-Seattle, introduced a referendum that would ask voters to increase the state’s sales tax by 0.3 percent for three years, starting January 2010.
The proceeds would reinstate some of the proposed budget cuts to heath care. Some of the money generated would bring rebate checks to low-income families.
Rep. Pettigrew said he knows asking taxpayers to pay more is not an easy sell in this recession.
“If we don’t make this investment now,” said Rep. Pettigrew, “what ends up happening is you start seeing people in the street literally start dying. You start seeing more and more people cared for in their homes, ending up in nursing homes.”
Rep. Gary Alexander, R-Thurston County, said he wasn’t surprised the referendum was introduced. He thinks if it makes it out of the Capitol, voters will not support it.
“Our families are not in a position to acquire more tax debt,” said Alexander.
The owner of Orca Books, a downtown Olympia book store, said she did not think the increase in sales tax would hurt her business. She said she would vote for the increase.
“It’s a very worthy cause. Everyone needs health care and so we need to do what we need to do,” said owner Linda Berentsen.
But Deb Moody, who owns Olympia’s State of the Arts Gallery, thinks the sales tax is high enough, especially in this economy. She said her business suffered its worst March in 17 years.
“Trying to get blood out of a turnip isn’t going to help,” said Moody.
The sales tax referendum has a public hearing scheduled for Friday at 8 a.m.
Creating an income tax for those making more than $250,000 remains just an idea at the Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, has discussed the idea on her blog. However, no referendum has been introduced. One legislative source said the idea remains alive, despite the sales tax referendum introduced in the House.
Recall, one making over 250K a year could be small business who has to declare their gross SALES as income, not after deduction earnings like private citizens.
WA PING
When are states going to realize that health-care is not a right? This is what’s bankrupting states - healthcare! And it’s because of federal mandates like no ERs can turn away folks and reckless Medicaid spending which is breeding irresponsibility.
“reckless Medicaid spending which is breeding irresponsibility.”
Is that caused by irresponsible breeding?
Or a husband and wife.
>Some of the money generated would bring rebate checks to low-income families.
And there it is. Tax us more to redistribute the wealth
But, but, Obami told us it’s a right....
There it is, "If you pay no federal or state income tax, vote for us and this state income tax on the rich and we will give some money to you."
yitbos
Reported by the WSJ. And liberal idiots want BIG GOV health care???? idiots.
It’s always about health care it’s always about education. Over and over and over. Sure, people should have health care ‘available’ but they should pay for it not taxpayers.
I've paid income tax on earnings from my very small business and always have been able to deduct my cost of goods sold, depreciation on equipment, etc. from my gross receipts.
Fairfax County VA, where I live, also imposes a small "gross receipts" tax, which works as you describe--it's levied on my sales without any deductions.
I didn't see a reference in the article to a gross receipts tax, just an income tax. Still a bad idea, but not as bad as a gross receipts tax.
Jack
bookmark
Medicare is a major fraud. My mom was tested to death...but the billing was top-drawer. If that wasn’t torture, I don’t know what torture and misery is all about.
Giving away our money to those who did not earn it, those Dems never stop.
If it passes, it shows that the people are very “Patriotic”. (Mad Man Joe reference)
Say WA? Evergreen State ping
Quick link: WA State Board
FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.
Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.
Don't forget "the children."
Nothing is going to change.
When FReepers (and others) start working to elect the right candidates. And not before, IMHO. (I know, some do; but many don't. Or at least I never run into them while working on campaigns.)
That’s what I meant re: education ... it’s always the children .... I really am starting to dislike politicians ....
This woman is without a doubt the dumbest interview on radio.Heard her today on Dori Monson discussing the state income tax.
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