Olympia this week

Inslee repeats push for state capital gains income tax  ( 770KTTH )

Jay Inslee is – once again – calling for a state capital gains income tax. Despite the IRS classifying it as such, Inslee insists that the capital gains tax is not a form of income tax.

Inslee  also insists that the capital gains income tax would solve taxing inequality. Appearing on the Jason Rantz Show, Rep. Drew Stokesbary (R-Auburn) explains how Inslee’s claims are both misleading and irresponsible. Pointing out that Inslee has failed to produce “an original idea” during his eight years as governor, Stokesbury makes a case for how Republicans view the solution to taxing inequality.

“Everybody is taxed too much in this state and definitely the working class, and the solution to that isn’t to raise taxes on somebody else.”  Instead, the solution is “to give a tax rebate to the working class who already pay too much as it is.”

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Inslee and fellow West Coast governors approve Moderna COVID-19 vaccine  (Seattle Times)

Earlier this year, Jay Inslee joined other Left Coast governors in a pact to require a vaccine be subject to political approval, independent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The agreement was nothing more than an attempt to undermine the Trump administration.

Of course, the Democrat governors only managed to create the appearance that government officials distrusted the vaccine itself.

Called the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, Inslee announced that his pact authorized the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Mr Trump lost the election. The vaccine – according to Inslee and his fellow Democrat governors – can now be distributed to the public.

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State Commerce officials plan for “equity” in transportation policy (Washington Policy Center)

The state Department of Commerce is looking to “reduce or altogether eliminate people’s need to drive.”

As part of their attempt, Commerce officials are drafting a state energy strategy with the intent to move people and goods “more efficiently and equitably.”

As the Washington Policy Center points out, “Officials argue that vehicle emissions have disproportionate impacts on communities that live near highways, ports, rail, and other industrial areas.”

The answer – according to officials – is to reduce “vehicle miles traveled (VMT), or how much people drive.”

Despite disputing studies and evidence, state officials appear determined to move ahead with their plan to reduce VMT and “shift travel onto more efficient modes” – like public transit.

Officials go so far as to cite King County’s public transit as an example of the “most effective and lowest-cost strategy.”

The ridiculous assertion completely ignores Sound Transit’s notoriety for “spending astronomical amounts of public money on projects like light rail that yield low benefits.”

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State associations warn against new taxes in 2021-23 operating budget  (The LENS)

Jay Inslee’s 2021-23 operating budget includes spending increases and new taxes – including a state capital gains income tax.

Given the impacts of COVID-19 shutdowns, Inslee’s new tax proposals would deliver another hard blow to small businesses and struggling families across Washington.

Stakeholders are warning of the harmful impact of the new taxes.

Washington Hospitality Association President and CEO Anthony Anton said they have been the “hardest hit by the pandemic and the state’s response to it, which is why we’ve urged and will continue to urge Gov. Jay Inslee and the legislature to make relief for our industry an early priority in the 2021 session.”

Association of Washington Business (AWB) President Kris Johnson expressed disappointment over Inslee “proposing any tax increases at this time.”

Johnson said new taxes are “not only a potential roadblock to economic recovery, it’s not necessary” because our state’s budget has “steadily improved over the last several months, making it possible to balance the budget without raising taxes.”

Stop spending our money on your fantasies, Mr Inslee.