OLYMPIA – Senate Democrats today suggested a higher tax on beer may be a way to balance the budget and end the 22-day-old special session.
Their plan would hike existing state taxes by 50 cents per gallon on mass-market beers.With existing taxes, that would mean people will pay 43 cents in taxes per six pack, Senate Democrats said. Microbrews would be exempt.
They also are now willing to tax candy and gum and aren’t giving up on the idea of hiking the sales tax statewide. However, they are seeking a smaller increase of one-tenth of a penny.
These are the highlights of a new tax proposal from the Senate sent during the weekend to Gov. Chris Gregoire and House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle.
It would raise roughly $200 million which is the disputed amount of a roughly $800 million tax package sought by Democratic leaders to cover part of the state’s $2.8 billion budget deficit.
Gregoire said today she expects the House to respond with a formal counteroffer later today.
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