There is no doubt the state of Washington faces challenges in education, social services, law enforcement and housing. But implementing an income tax is the wrong direction for our state and would reduce our competitive advantage and discourage the expansion of businesses, high-tech job growth and entrepreneurial initiative that has helped our state achieve record revenue and stability.
A state income tax is currently under consideration in the Washington State Legislature. It is being sold as a “millionaires” tax, but it already targets small businesses, aggressively defines “millionaires” and comes on top of a wave of state spending that all but ensures the expansion of the income tax in the future. High-earner income taxes broaden to larger segments of the population.
Legislative promises that the income tax will not expand should not be taken seriously. In fact, as recently as 2024, lawmakers voted to prohibit an income tax in Washington. When asked about that vote on public radio, the Senate Majority Leader this year said, “That was — what did Mary Poppins call that? — a ‘pie crust promise.’ Easily made, easily broken. We put that language into statute, and we can amend it any time we want to.”
A state income tax will not solve Washington’s problems; it will add to them. Our state constitution prohibits these kinds of taxes and voters have clearly said no to income taxes almost a dozen times at the ballot box over many decades.
Let’s fight for affordability in Washington and put our state on a path of competitiveness, growth and innovation. Tell Governor Ferguson to stop the costly income tax and keep Washington income tax-free.