Rep. Kagi waits for Senate to consider House budget, capital-gains tax

Democratic State Rep. Ruth Kagi says that the State Senate needs to at least consider the Democrats’ proposed capital-gains tax in the House budget.

The budget that the Democratic-controled House of Representatives passed Thursday increases revenue with a capital-gains tax, a tax that, Kagi said, would make the state’s tax structure more equitable than it is now.

“We will see if the senate will even consider it,” Kagi said March 30. “Given the inequity in our tax structure, I think it is incumbent on them to take it up. Low and middle-income families pay a far higher proportion of their incomes in taxes than our wealthiest families. It is long past time for us to rebalance the most regressive tax system in the nation.”

Kagi, chairwoman of the House Committee on early learning and social services, is particularly proud that the budget provides $227 million in high-quality early learning across the state.

“Half our kids enter into kindergarten behind,” Kagi said. “They don’t have the skills to be successful and most of those kids never catch up. Our obligation is to get those kids ready to succeed. This budget makes the biggest investment in early learning our state has ever made. It’s the best investment we can make.”

Kagi and other Democrats said in a press release that the House budget would put the state in full compliance with the State Supreme Court’s 2012 McCleary decision that requires the state to provide full state support for basic public education.

Kagi, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, represents the 32nd Legislative District, including Lynnwood, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, parts of Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace, the City of Shoreline and a small part of northwest Seattle.

Once the Republican-controled Senate passes its budget, leaders from the House and the Senate will negotiate the state budget over the next few weeks.

Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com.

Talk to us

More in Local News

An example of the Malicious Women Co. products (left) vs. the Malicious Mermaid's products (right). (U.S. District Court in Florida)
Judge: Cheeky candle copycat must pay Snohomish company over $800K

The owner of the Malicious Women Co. doesn’t expect to receive any money from the Malicious Mermaid, a Florida-based copycat.

A grave marker for Blaze the horse. (Photo provided)
After Darrington woman’s horse died, she didn’t know what to do

Sidney Montooth boarded her horse Blaze. When he died, she was “a wreck” — and at a loss as to what to do with his remains.

A fatal accident the afternoon of Dec. 18 near Clinton ended with one of the cars involved bursting into flames. The driver of the fully engulfed car was outside of the vehicle by the time first responders arrived at the scene. (Whidbey News-Times/Submitted photo)
Driver sentenced in 2021 crash that killed Everett couple

Danielle Cruz, formerly of Lynnwood, gets 17½ years in prison. She was impaired by drugs when she caused the crash that killed Sharon Gamble and Kenneth Weikle.

A person walks out of the Everett Clinic on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Everett Clinic changing name to parent company Optum in 2024

The parent company says the name change will not affect quality of care for patients in Snohomish County.

Tirhas Tesfatsion (GoFundMe) 20210727
Lynnwood settles for $1.7 million after 2021 suicide at city jail

Jail staff reportedly committed 16 safety check violations before they found Tirhas Tesfatsion, 47, unresponsive in her cell.

Trainer Marcia Henton feeds Lolita the killer whale, also known as Tokitae and Toki, inside her stadium tank at the Miami Seaquarium on Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Miami, Fla. After officials announced plans to move Lolita from the Seaquarium, trainers and veterinarians are now working to prepare her for the move. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/TNS)
Ashes of orca Tokitae finally home after her death last month in Miami

Her ashes will be scattered in a private ceremony by members of the Lummi Nation.

A Coast Guard cutter searches for a crashed chartered floatplane near Mutiny Bay Monday afternoon in Freeland, Washington on September 5, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Wife of pilot killed in Whidbey Island floatplane crash files lawsuit

This is the lawsuit filed against companies associated with the aircraft’s operations and manufacturing.

June Robinson
Everett senator will head state Senate’s budget-writing committee

Come 2024, Sen. June Robinson will lead the Ways and Means Committee, giving her power in deciding the state budget.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin gives an address to the city council of her proposed 2024 budget at the Everett Police Department North Precinct in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett mayor presents balanced budget for 2024; future deficit looms

If approved by the City Council, the $438 million budget will fund more police staff, parks and infrastructure.

Most Read