October 2nd, 2026
In this issue:
- Poll: Support for repealing WA ‘millionaires tax’ drops with budget impact
- Seattle Times recommends ‘No’ on I-645, ‘millionaires tax’
- Washington Taxed Its Millionaires. Now the Rich Want It Repealed.
- Millionaires tax benefits everybody
- Millionaires tax: Repeal is bad for our health
Donald Trump just came out opposing the Millionaires tax, and presumably in support of I-645 — the initiative that would cut billions in funding for healthcare, education, and child care in Washington. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, Trump championed a tax cut for the top 1% while recklessly slashing funding for hospitals, nursing homes, child care, and much more.
Initiative 645 is right on brand for Donald Trump.
Luckily, Washingtonians get it. Polling shows that when Washingtonians know the full impact of I-645, they are more likely to vote “No.” So with just weeks to go until voters get their ballots, can we count on you to help get information out to your friends, family, and neighbors? Fill out this quick survey and tell us the one thing you want to do between now and the election and we’ll make it happen. Post social media? Write a letter to the editor? Knock on some doors? We need everyone’s help to protect our state from I-645.
In solidarity,
Ben, Invest in WA Now
POLL: SUPPORT FOR REPEALING WA MILLIONAIRES TAX DROPS WITH BUDGET IMPACT
The poll of 800 Washington residents tested support for I-645 by evenly splitting the sample: 400 saw that budget-impact wording, and 400 did not.
It made a big difference.
Fifty-seven percent of those who saw the budget statement said they’d vote no on I-645, compared with 35% who said they’d vote yes to repeal the tax. Eight percent were undecided.
More – Jim Brunner, The Seattle Times
SEATTLE TIMES RECOMMENDS ‘NO’ ON I-645, ‘MILLIONAIRES TAX’ REPEAL
“But Initiative 645 does more than take away the 9.9% tax on incomes over $1 million. It maintains a bevy of promised tax credits that, without the income tax to fund them, would dig an even deeper budget hole. And it would prevent legislators from altering any of the initiative’s impacts for two years, absent a supermajority vote. That would come at an economically uncertain time: the last two years of the Trump administration, whose budget cuts have required Olympia to backfill lifesaving social programs; and with the state’s unemployment rate surging to among the highest in the nation.
More – Editorial Board, The Seattle Times
WASHINGTON TAXED ITS MILLIONAIRES. NOW THE RICH WANT IT REPEALED.
“People who don’t know much about Washington politics would assume we have a highly progressive tax code,” said Rian Watt, executive director of the nonprofit Economic Opportunity Institute, a progressive research and advocacy group in Seattle. “The reality is, we have a tax code written in the course of a couple of months in the 1930s.”
More – Anna Griffin, The New York Times
MILLIONAIRES TAX BENEFITS EVERYBODY
“My clients knew they benefited from employees who were trained in public schools, they appreciated their access to clean and plentiful water, clean air and fire fighters when needed. They appreciated the safe banking system, tax credits for their good deeds and business deductions that were generous in what was considered ‘business expenses’. They took advantage of good roads, rail, freight, and an internet that was developed with taxpayer dollars.
What I have a problem with is being stiffed for the bill when people take advantage of a system I and my fellows pay for without the largest benefactors giving back. The ‘tax’ is one way major benefactors can give back. There are many reasons to leave Washington, but tax if you earn more than a million dollars in a year shouldn’t be one of them. “I got mine” is not a good look.”
MILLIONAIRES TAX: REPEAL IS BAD FOR OUR HEALTH
“Research consistently demonstrates that more equitable societies experience lower mortality rates, longer lives and greater overall well-being.
“A fairer tax system that provides the resources to build a robust social safety net is by far the most impactful health intervention. That’s why the millionaires tax is a monumental step toward building a Washington where all communities, regardless of income, can thrive and experience long and healthy lives.”
More – Dr. Charles Mayer, The Seattle Times
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