Which two words in Washington political circles are so vulgar, so radioactive, that anyone who utters them risks political suicide?
Income tax.
Political courage may be in short supply, yet it’s long past time for our elected leaders to take a closer look at a state income tax.
Make no mistake: In spite of what some people may say, no one really likes taxes. But without them, the roads you drive on would be impassable, the bridges broken and social services non-existent.
Even businesses benefit from taxes. Those big rigs need well-maintained roads, too.
The question isn’t whether taxes should or should not exist. The real question is what’s the fairest way to collect them.
Washington is one of only seven states without an income tax, yet its sales tax is among the highest. According to the Association of Washington Cities, more than half of all state tax revenue comes from tax on the sale of goods and services.
The biggest problem is that it punishes the working class. The Washington State Tax Structure Study Committee, appointed by former Gov. Gary Locke, concluded in 2002 that the current system is unfair to low- and middle-income people and to businesses. Yet that study, led by William Gates, Sr., gathers dust on the shelves.
Implementing an income tax should come with its flip-side: a reduction in the sales tax. Revisiting the Business and Occupation Tax, which is levied by some cities but not others, would be wise as well. How that happens mid-stream, with all the commitments already made, is a challenge but one that must be considered soon. A constitutional amendment is necessary to add an income tax. Now’s the time for politicians to practice uttering the two words they fear so much.
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