Hello Olympia, it's time for the tax talk

April 16, 2:46 PMSnohomish County Progressive ExaminerChad Shue

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In 2004 my first choice for governor was former State Senator and Supreme Court Judge Phil Talmadge. The thing that first drew me to Talmadge was his outspoken criticism of the 2003 Locke/Rossi budget and its package of giveaways tax breaks and anti-labor "reforms" directed at the Boeing Company. What really clinched my support however was his candor and willingness to stress the need for a discussion of revenue reform in our state. Unfortunately for the state, Talmadge was forced to withdraw from the race due to health concerns and we are where we are today. While I did eventually support Chris Gregoire in 2004 and then again last year over Dino Rossi she still leaves me with a strong sense of disappointment over her fear unwillingness to lead the state in an open and honest discussion of a real and sustainable program for tax reform which MIGHT include a state income tax.

Former State Senator Phil Talmadge

I have previously written a couple of articles on these pages (and elsewhere) about the issue of tax reform. I brought you the story of Senate Majority Leader, Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) and State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle) and the proposal for a "targeted" income tax. I have also written about the "tax the wealthy" programs being voted on or implemented in other states. Of course, even the hint of a discussion or the thought of actual legislation that speaks to any form of state income tax was bound to meet resistance as was discovered on these pages from our very own Washington Law Examiner (and attorney for the anti-tax - and "Teabag America" sponsor - Evergreen Freedom Foundation), Michael Reitz. And even when the buzz over the income tax discussion started to give way (or was swept under the rug) in favor of discussions of a voter referendum on a sales tax increase our friends at the anti-ANYtax Washington Policy Center were quick to bring out their spokesperson (aka. Washington Policy Examiner) John Barnes to chant their mantra. And just to make sure we got the message, he used the backdrop of "Teabag America Day" to remind us of the cacophony of anti-tax voices in the state's media; many of whom will be looking for state tax relief before their print operations are forced to shut down.

             Sen. Lisa Brown                       Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles

Now it is not my intention to single out my fellow examiners for criticism. On the contrary; their voices need to be heard in any reasonable and responsible discussion of tax/revenue reform in our state. Rather, my concern is that their voices seem to be the only ones heard in our legislature over the din of our elected representatives running for cover over the very mention of taxes or "revenue enhancement". While staring at a projected $9 Billion deficit and with unemployment over 9%, it took our legislators some 78 days (in a 105 day session) to come up with budget proposals that will drive education, healthcare, and the environment back years due to the "cuts-only" approach. As late as last week the powerful House Speaker, Frank Chopp finally suggested that there was a slightly better than 50-50 chance that the voters would see some form of a request for a sales tax increase. This simply will not do!

House Speaker Chopp

It is long past time for this state to have an "adult conversation" about how we move forward in keeping a commitment to the education of our children and the healthcare of our fellow citizens as well as our planet. Economists from the right and left have sent letters to the leaders in Olympia reminding them of the dire consequences of "cuts only" budgeting during economic hard times, and obviously the various stakeholders in education and healthcare have made their voices heard about the negative impacts that will inevitably come to pass from the cuts only budget proposals we have seen. Recently I have been pleased to see the area's most widely read Progressive blogger and activist David Goldstein, 'Goldy' of Horsesass.org fame join the call for a more public discussion of tax reform by our elected officials in Olympia. In posts here and here Goldy has highlighted polling data showing a genuine shift in the public's mood about the amount of taxes they are paying and asks lawmakers why they seem so reluctant to engage their constituents in creating a more sustainable economic model for our state.

Liberal Blogger David 'Goldy' Goldstein

Other folks in the Progressive blogosphere are beginning to send the message to Olympia that, if they are expecting support for any sales tax increase referendum in November, they had better start taking some genuine steps toward reforming the failed tax system we operate under in this state. I believe they could start with serious consideration of Sen. Kohl-Welles' bill, SB6147, which would implement a 1% income tax on the wealthiest Washingtonians.

Peace,

Chad Shue