Tax talk heats up, gun bill moves on and abortion debate looms
Published 11:00 am Friday, January 20, 2023
2023 Washington Legislature, Day 12 of 105
Everett Herald political reporter Jerry Cornfield: jcornfield@heraldnet.com | @dospueblos
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OLYMPIA, Jan. 20, 2023 — Happy Friday. A second week is in the books.
Taxes edged into the spotlight. Bills are piling up. Conversations are heating up.
House and Senate Democrats rolled out their ‘wealth tax’ proposal Thursday. It would treat stocks, bonds and other financial assets as property, and impose a 1% tax on that property. The first $250 million of assessed value would be exempt. Collections would be funneled into education, housing, disability services, and tax credits for working families. Expect a hearing soon.
The bipartisan Joint Tax Structure Work Group did consider this idea in the course of its two years of meetings and town halls. Ultimately members did not recommend the Legislature pursue it. Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, co-chair of the panel, is prime sponsor of the Senate version of the wealth tax.
In the meantime, other tax ideas are on agendas next week.
On Monday morning, a Senate panel will consider Senate Bill 5361 allowing cities and counties to boost their sales tax and use the money for hiring law enforcement officers. It would permit a one-tenth of a penny increase. And it would not require voter approval.
On Tuesday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee will consider nine tax bills. The list includes Republican and Democrat proposals to amend the state constitution to provide homeowners with property tax relief and tenants with rent credits.
On the move
Senate Bill 5078, one of a suite of gun-related bills pushed by Democrats, cleared the Senate Law and Justice Committee along party lines Thursday. The legislation would make it possible for an individual to hold gun makers and retailers legally accountable if one of their products harms someone. The vote came two days after a public hearing. Next stop is Ways and Means Committee.
The committee also advanced Senate Bill 5002 to lower the legal limit for driving drunk from a maximum blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% to 0.05%. The bill was amended to take effect Dec. 31 rather than immediately. That provides time for a public education campaign before enforcement starts. This received bipartisan support. Next stop is Senate Transportation Committee.
Spotlight on abortion rights
Gov. Jay Inslee may be among those testifying Tuesday on an effort to guarantee protection for reproductive rights in the state’s constitution.
At 8 a.m., the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee will consider Senate Joint Resolution 8202, a constitutional amendment ensuring the state does not “deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom decisions.” It would require approval by voters. It will only get to the ballot if two-thirds of members in the House and Senate approve it. That’s a long shot.
Then again, there’s still two-and-a-half months to go.
Enjoy the weekend.
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