Letter: Our tax burden right in middle of other states

In response to Mr. Sage’s letter about Washington state taxes, I’d like to provide a little factual context: According to Forbes, in a list rating the 50 states from low to high taxation, Washington comes in at No. 23. In other words, 27 states have a higher tax burden than we do, and 22 have a lower tax burden.

While it is true that we have higher gas taxes, we are one of only seven states that have no state income tax. If Mr. Sage doesn’t like the gas tax and highway tolls, perhaps he would prefer an income tax? The revenue has to come from somewhere to run public services and provide infrastructure.

Rosemary Nguyen

Lake Stevens