Letter: New tax is the greatest legislation we have enacted

Published 1:30 am Saturday, April 4, 2026

First, let me express my appreciation for the thoughtful analyses and comments Jon Bauer has written for decades at the Herald. He’ll be missed. The new income tax here in Washington is way overdue. In many ways Washington has been a haven for compassionate governing in areas from healthcare, housing, the environment and education. But our tax structures have oppressed those that have less and are struggling. Forbes magazine once listed Washington as the best place for wealthy retirees because of its tax structure. I understand it’s very hard to trust in our government to not fix future budget deficits by applying this new tax to the middle and below middle classes. But it’s up to us to not let that happen. Because this new tax is the greatest legislation we have enacted ever to make Washington a place where the poor do not carry a disproportionate share of our tax burden. Our fee based, sales and property tax dependent structure has been one of the most digressive and oppressive in America. It’s been an embarrassment of hypocrisy for a society that considers itself to be compassionate and progressive. The governor and the legislature should be commended for finally taking action to fix this. I’m glad we have finally shown we do care with actions rather than empty rhetoric.

Rick Walker

Snohomish