Olympia weekly report 20200407

State Supreme Court refuses Seattle tax case

The Washington State Supreme Court declined to hear arguments in Seattle’s income tax case. The Court’s decision kills Seattle’s attempt to levy a 2.25% tax on incomes over $250,000.

However, due to a shocking appeals court decision, it also means any city in Washington can levy a flat tax – uniform across all income brackets. That reality makes it more important than ever for cities to pass local bans on income taxes. 

Senate Democrats have continuously pushed schemes like this as tools to get the courts to reconsider their ban on general income taxes on all of us.

Inslee issues budget cuts, doesn’t go far enough

Gov. Jay Inslee cut approximately $235 million in state spending over the next 15 months. He also issued various cuts to programs from the 2019-21 Supplemental Operating Budget, amounting to about $210 million for the next two-year budget (if programs are not re-instated during the next legislative session). 

The cuts come after Democrat-orgy passed unprecedented spending during the 2020 legislative session.

Republican State Senator John Braun urged Inslee to do more, pointing out the prudence of vetoing all new spending passed by Democrats that does not support COVID-19 response to prepare for future recovery costs.

Some property taxpayers to receive extension

King, Pierce and Snohomish County extended property tax deadlines to June 1st, 2020. Spokane County extended the due date to June 15. The extensions impact homeowners who property taxes directly, not as part of the regular monthly mortgage payment – there is no relief for the latter.

The relief for some – but not all – homeowners comes as the burden of property taxes has increased after Senate Democrats increased them to please union bosses to get more of your money to them.

State Supreme Court to decide on $30-tab injunction

The Washington State Supreme Court will take up the issue of whether or not to lift an emergency injunction on I-976 – the $30 car-tab – at the end of April. Multiple Democrat legal actions against the initiative have resulted in the voter-approved measure not yet taking effect.

In particular, Senate Democrats have colluded with Sound Transit to burden King, Pierce, and Snohomish County drivers with out-of-control car-tab fees.  Whether or not they will feel relief lies in the hands of the state Supreme Court.
 

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