The state Supreme Court today refused to hear the Seattle income tax case allowing the Appeals Court's ruling to stand. While this is fantastic news concerning the state’s constitutional ban on a graduated income tax, it means the Appeals Court's bizarre decision to invalidate state law banning a local income tax remains in effect. Earlier this year majority Democrats in the legislature refused to hear bi-partisan bills that would have re-instated that 36 year old law. Make no mistake though, this is a major decision and devastating blow to those who have been trying to circumvent voters and get the courts to allow a graduated income tax without a constitutional amendment. It also means extra vigilance will be needed now on efforts to impose a capital gains income tax.