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Category Archives: Taxes
Will lawmakers pay for state tax increases?
Budget: Lawmakers try to explain why increases were the best option
Posted in Taxes Comments closed
Gregoire signs package of tax hikes
Gov. Chris Gregoire signed two major tax increases Friday, insisting the state had no choice but to raise taxes on a wide range of businesses and consumer goods to protect key services.
Also posted in Budget Comments closed
The Washington Legislature can do more cutting before raising taxes by $1 billion
WE want to take the Legislature by the lapels and shake it. The Democrats particularly. The taxing and spending plans now running free in Olympia are their plans, and mostly bad ones.
Washington has been a charmed corner of America. A high-wage corner. We like it that way. But this region’s future is not guaranteed, and [...]
Posted in Taxes Comments closed
Gregoire disowns budget plan; favors raising taxes
Gov. Chris Gregoire released a budget Wednesday that closes a projected $2.6 billion budget shortfall without raising taxes, as required by state law. But she abandoned key elements of the proposal before it was even printed. Instead Gregoire is advocating a tax increase to avoid eviscerating programs she considers the most crucial.
Posted in Taxes Comments closed
'Tea party' protest draws thousands to Capitol
A raucous crowd of "tea party" tax protesters took over the state Capitol steps Wednesday, dangling tea bags from their eyeglass frames in an effort to send a message to the other Washington about the federal financial bailout.
The rally, which was one of many similar events throughout the state and nation Wednesday, drew an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people who chanted "stop spending my money!"
Also posted in Finance Comments closed
Three or four tax referendum ideas floating in Legislature
The 0.3-cent sales tax increase to pay for health-care programs cut in the House-Senate budget agreed to Wednesday evening. Voters could weigh in Nov. 3. The still-to-be-identified tax increase to pay for a $1 billion to $3 billion public works program that modernizes public schools, universities and state buildings and gives them energy upgrades. Voters could weigh in Nov. 3. A 25-cent tax for enhanced 9-1-1 emergency services. Voters could weigh in Aug. 18 in an all-mail primary ballot.
Also posted in Environment, Finance, Healthcare Comments closed
Business launches radio ads against sales tax hike; committee votes 8-7 to recommend tax measure for November ballot
House Bill 2377 was amended by the committee, but the thrust of the bill is to put a referendum on the fall ballot, asking voters to raise the state sales tax from 6.5 percent to 6.8 percent for three years -- Jan. 1, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2012. That would raise almost $1.1 billion. The money would be used to offset cuts to the state Basic Health Plan and other health programs.
New state budget includes job cuts, tuition increases
After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations and speculation, the state Senate on Monday proposed a two-year plan to bridge Washington’s $9 billion budget shortfall. As predicted, it includes some dramatic cuts.
Also posted in Budget, Economy, Education, Environment, Finance, Healthcare, Higher Education, Unemployment Comments closed
State plan to fund parks is deceptive — and wrong
The proposal would add a $5 'donation' for parks to all vehicle registrations unless the owner marks the 'opt-out' box.