January 27, 2025
In this issue:
- Trump Wants to Cut Taxes on the Rich. States Can Choose Differently
- Comment: Lawmakers, wealthy should consider I-2109’s rejection
- In Trump’s America, Washington Demands Bold Action, Not Timidity
- Inslee doubles down on wealth tax proposal in final State of the State address
My name is Libby Watson (she/her), and I’m excited to serve as the Lead Organizer for Invest in Washington Now during this legislative session.
Last November, voters made themselves clear: The super wealthy need to pay what they owe. But right now, our state is facing a $10 billion budget shortfall. What we’re hearing from lawmakers is that some are pushing for cuts to everything from education to housing to healthcare. As Treasure wrote in her national op-ed in Other Words, we should instead focus on finding revenue sources, particularly ones that push the wealthy to finally pay what they owe, so we can fund the programs that Washington families rely on.
Our ask right now is for you to remind lawmakers how vital it is that we continue investing in our communities. Email your Representatives and tell them to say NO to cuts and YES to a budget that puts people first.
You can expect to hear from me a lot over the next few months. We’ll need all hands on deck and there is no shortage of ways to support progressive revenue. To prepare our activists for the fast response that legislative session requires and give you the tools you’ll need to drive progressive revenue forward, I’m hosting virtual training sessions on Wednesday, February 5th at noon and Thursday, February 6th at 5pm. Please register, share the opportunity, and join me!
When we come together, we win.
Let’s keep going. -Libby
TRUMP WANTS TO CUT TAXES ON THE RICH. STATES CAN CHOOSE DIFFERENTLY.
Despite our “blue state” status, Washington’s tax code has long been one of the most inequitable in the country because it over-relies on regressive measures like sales taxes and property taxes. That forces low- and middle-income earners to pay the biggest portion of their income in taxes to fund the programs and services we all rely on.
In 2010, an initiative to enact a tax on high earners in our state failed miserably. Although many people — including lawmakers — proclaimed the death of progressive taxes in Washington, advocates came together with a long-term goal of building public support for progressive revenue.
Our organizations were two of many that did this work. From interfaith organizations to affordable housing advocates to union leaders, we created coalitions to hold lawmakers accountable to build an equitable tax system.
COMMENT: LAWMAKERS, WEALTHY SHOULD CONSIDER I-2109’S REJECTION
As the election season wraps up and a new class of legislators heads to Olympia, we hope they write a new budget that avoids cuts to programs that families depend on. They can do so by asking the wealthy to pay what they truly owe in taxes and continuing to balance our tax code.
Initiative 2109 should be the last desperate act by rich conservatives to buy themselves a tax break. They have lost over and over again. Voters have the last word: mega-millionaires and billionaires, pay your share!
IN TRUMP’S AMERICA, WASHINGTON DEMANDS BOLD ACTION, NOT TIMIDITY
Donald Trump will pass billionaire tax cuts for himself and his Wall Street and Silicon Valley friends while everyone else ends up with less. Washington Democrats must counteract this and build on this year’s overwhelming voter support for a Capital Gains Tax (47/49 LDs opposed I-2109 to repeal it) and continue to ensure the Top 1% pays their fair share to fund affordable housing, education, healthcare, childcare, and things everyday Washingtonians cannot afford.
More – Andrew Hong and Sarah Dixit in The Stranger
INSLEE DOUBLES DOWN ON WEALTH TAX PROPOSAL IN FINAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
Inslee took the opportunity to reinforce his vision for how the state should close its $12 billion budget gap, which will be the primary focus of the ongoing legislative session.
He warned lawmakers against making deep cuts, citing the slashes to social programs the Legislature implemented in response to the Great Recession, which he said harmed the most vulnerable Washingtonians.
“It took years to build back what we lost in that era,” Inslee said.
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