Gregoire seeks sales tax deduction extension

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire and six other governors have sent a letter to leadership in the U.S. House and Senate asking for an extension of the state and local sales tax deduction.

Washington is one of seven states without a state income tax. Instead, residents have been allowed to deduct the sales tax they pay, but only on a temporary basis. In 2010, Congress approved an extension for the 2010 and 2011 tax years, but would need to do so again to extend the deduction for 2012 and beyond.

Signing on with Gregoire on Tuesday were the governors from Florida, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.