Opponents of Washington’s Millionaires Tax Want the Issue on the November Ballot

Let’s Go Washington is one of the groups opposed to Washington State’s 9.9% tax on the income of millionaires. It takes effect on January 1, 2028. Spokesman Darren Littell said the group has decided to start an initiative petition to get a yes or no on the November ballot. While many opponents aren’t that concerned about the damage to the income of millionaires, a great many people worry once an income tax is made law — because of precedent — it can drop down and impact people with lesser income.

The decision was made after the Washington Supreme Court turned down an appeal to declare the law unconstitutional because the language did not allow a referendum to be sent to the people.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to ensure that voters understand exactly what’s at stake and that their income isn’t safe from the intaxicated [sic] majority party trying to take their cut,” Littell said.

The group has to gather 300,000 signatures by July 2nd.

Some — like Washington anti-tax advocate, Tim Eyman — say the push to repeal won’t succeed. He noted a survey by the Seattle Times shows just 33% of voters support repealing the law. One done by the same newspaper from October to December of last year found at least 60% of voters will support the law.

Let’s Go Washington CEO and millionaire hedge fund founder, Brian Heywood said his group’s analysis is quite different. While people don’t mind millionaires being hit with an income tax, when looking at the income tax being permanent for all people, all polling shows them being against the law.

“As soon as you ask people, ‘Is this coming for you?’ it switches back 60-40% the other way,” Heywood said.

Former state attorney general, Rob McKenna has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law. He believes Washington’s constitution forbids any kind of an income tax.

Estimates are the 9.9% income tax will impact just 30,000 Washington households.

Source link: KNKX, NPR — https://bit.ly/4wvd5VC