The number of Washington cities with a local income tax ban is now at least nine strong. Yakima County has also adopted a ban. In response to my blog about DuPont’s new local income tax ban, I heard from a Richland Councilmember pointing out that Richland also acted last month. From the Richland local income tax ban:  

“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Richland that the imposition of a local income tax on the businesses and residents of the City of Richland is prohibited. Such a tax would be in direct conflict with the high value the City places on promoting economic development through the attraction and expansion of financially healthy, family wage-paying employers. Small businesses are the backbone of our local, regional, state, and national economy, and it is imperative that the City not put unnecessary hurdles in the way of their success. As such, the Richland City Council prohibits the imposition of a local income tax in the event a local income tax is determined legal and permissible by the Washington State Supreme Court or the Washington State Legislature.”

As a charter city, Richland could also follow the lead of Spokane and Yakima and ask voters to place the local income tax ban into the city charter.

One county and nine Washington cities have now acted to ban a local income tax including Battle Ground, DuPont, Granger, Kennewick, Moses Lake, Richland, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Union Gap and Yakima County. Yakima voters this November will also consider a charter amendment to ban a local income tax.

Other cities and counties should do the same and signal to citizens and businesses that they will protect their economic competitive advantage by prohibiting the imposition of a local income tax.

Additional Information
DuPont becomes eighth WA city to ban local income tax
Washington cities move to prohibit local income taxes