LATEST BLOGS
March 20 revenue forecast and income tax on capital gains
On Wednesday (March 20) the state revenue forecast will be released. This is the last piece of the puzzle before the legislative budget and tax bills are released. Despite the fact state revenues are up significantly, efforts remain to impose an income tax on capital gains. As this tax debate unfolds it is important to remember this information from the IRS and other states describing why taxes on capital gains are income taxes and would require a constitutional amendment in Washington.
Read the entire blogWhat About Those Medicaid Work Requirements?
The Trump Administration is now accepting, and actually encouraging, states to apply for Obamacare 1115A waivers to customize their Medicaid programs. One of the most controversial waiver requests is for a work requirement. There has never been a formal work requirement in Medicaid. It was actually part of the original welfare reform legislation of the Clinton Administration, but was removed before the welfare changes were made.
The political left finds the work requirement too onerous. The left is saying that even if low-income people can hold down a job, can improve their position in life, and can find a pathway off the government entitlement, they should not be given that opportunity.
Read the entire blogGovernor signs bill moving Washington’s presidential primary date to March. Bills on health care, energy restrictions, public employee unions survive the cut after key session deadline.
Governor Inslee on Thursday signed SB 5273, to move Washington’s 2020 presidential primary from May to March and require voters to register by party. The bill passed both houses of the legislature earlier this session with mostly Democratic votes. The governor’s action came just days after he officially announced his campaign for U.S. President.
Also on Tuesday, state senate Democrats pushed through SB 5078, to require candidates to disclose their federal tax returns before their names could appear on Washington’s presidential primary ballot. The vote was 28-21, with only one Democrat, Sen. Tim Sheldon (D-Mason County) who caucuses with Senate Republicans, voting against it.
Read the entire blogWPC IN THE NEWS
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Eastside Breakfast - March
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