WA Voters Soundly Oppose Income Tax Bill, But It Moves Forward

Many people in Washington State are against a proposed income tax. In fact more than 61,000 people signed in opposition to Senate Bill 6346—an income tax proposal—when it was heard in the state Senate. Despite that overwhelming response, the fight against the bill is far from over.

YOU CAN WEIGH IN ON THE UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING

The bill, which introduces a 9.9% income tax that applies to all earners—including a temporary exemption for those making less than $1 million—was passed by the Senate earlier this week. Three senators who joined in voting against the measure stood alone among their colleagues in opposing it but Senate Democrats pushed the bill through.
The legislation is now scheduled for a hearing in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, February 24, at 8:00 am where it will be reviewed by the House Finance Committee.

SIGN IN AGAIN—MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

After helping make SB 6346 the most unpopular bill in state history, opponents are urged to sign in again to show opposition to the idea of an income tax.
Supporters of the bill attempted to dismiss the 61,000 signatures by claiming they were generated by bots. However, the Senate’s security measures have confirmed the signatures were from real people, many voicing opposition to an income tax that could impact every person in the state.

READ MORE: VOTE YAKIMA BEST BEER CITY 

A TAX THAT COULD EXPAND TO ALL TAXPAYERS

While the bill claims to target high earners, some lawmakers say that's not necessarily the case. The current language includes a temporary exemption for those earning less than $1 million annually, but the bill itself does not restrict the tax to millionaires. When the bill was debated on the Senate floor, Democrats rejected Amendment 696, which would have limited the tax solely to millionaires. Without that amendment, the tax could be expanded by simple legislative action, without a vote from the public. That's something many in opposition fear could happen sooner than later.

VOTERS WON'T HAVE A FUTURE SAY

Democrats rejected an amendment that would have prevented the tax from being subject to referendum, simply removing the ability to overturn it through direct vote.