Jason Mercier of the Washington Policy Center challenges the governor to follow his massive compensation increase for state government employees with tax relief for all Washingtonians
Jason Mercier
Washington Policy Center
The September revenue forecast continues to show $1.5 billion above expectations for 2021-23 since the February forecast. In other fiscal news, we learned today that the governor has agreed to a massive compensation increase for state government employees. With other states across the country continuing to provide tax relief to help with inflation costs, it is past time for state officials to prioritize broad-based tax relief for Washingtonians.
Earlier this week Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig talked about the prospects for broad-based tax relief with TVW (26:06 mark) and said it was on the table. Also, at AWB’s recent policy summit, Rep. Ed Orcutt said that he would push for property and sales tax relief in the 2023 legislative session.
With state government employee unions announcing today that their secret pay talks with the governor have resulted in the “largest compensation package” in history, I’m going to assume that based on the revenue forecast showing a $1.5 billion increase since February, the governor will also soon be announcing his support for tax relief for Washingtonians.
The 2021-23 revenue forecasts for Washington since last November were:
- Nov: $60.2 billion
- Feb: $61.7 billion
- June: $63.2 billion
- Sept: $63.2 billion
Broad-based tax relief provided: None.
Surely the governor wouldn’t have agreed to a huge pay increase for government employee union members unless he also planned to finally support broad-based tax relief as well.
As for the state government employee pay raises, OFM estimates the taxpayer cost information for those tentative agreements will be posted on its website on October 3.
Additional Information
The case for a Washington sales tax cut (video)
Jason Mercier is the director of the Center for Government Reform at the Washington Policy Center.
Also read:
- Opinion: When journalism fails – Ridgefield School District endorsementRidgefield resident Heidi Pozzo adds ‘the rest of the story’ not covered by a newspaper’s recent endorsement of Ridgefield School District bond.
- Opinion: GOP Attempt to Force Unity Will Fracture PartyThird Congressional District candidate Leslie Lewallen explains why she will not participate in the upcoming Washington State Republican Convention.
- Opinion: As state’s CO2 tax faces voters, Inslee Administration using taxpayer funds to campaign for policyAs Washington’s CO2 tax, known as the Climate Commitment Act, heads to the ballot this fall, this logo highlighting projects that received funding from that tax will become more prevalent. And state residents are paying for it.
- Opinion: Student loan forgiveness? Bring it onClark County resident and long-time journalist Marvin Case shares his thoughts on the president’s attempt to seek a legal way to reduce or dismiss student college loan debts.
- Opinion: Tax rates go down. tax dollars go way up in the Ridgefield School DistrictHeidi Pozzo shares what’s actually happening to your property tax dollars in the Ridgefield School District.