Solution would disproportionately affect the poor
Finally, officials in Olympia wake up to the reality that this budget crisis can’t be solved by endlessly slashing services [“Gregoire, Dems say tax package will be in budget fix,” page one, Dec. 4].
It also shouldn’t be solved by raising the sales tax or property taxes, or instituting other regressive taxes that disproportionately affect the poor.
Currently, Washington state has one of, if not the most, regressive tax structures in the United States. The poorest 20 percent of the population pay more than 17 percent of their income in taxes, while the richest 1 percent pay less than 3 percent of their income in taxes. It’s outrageous. One way to fix this disparity is to replace the sales tax with a steeply graduated income tax.
The grass-roots campaign to save Washington state’s Basic Health Plan has already collected thousands of signatures on a petition calling for a fully funded Basic Health Plan and a change in the tax structure, including a tax on the income of the wealthy and the profits of large corporations.
Clearly these ideas are not nearly as taboo as politicians would like to believe. It’s past time to change the tax structure in this state.
— Margaret Viggiani, Seattle
Several ways to cover the deficit, with ease
It was interesting to see in The Times that after last year’s devastating cuts to social services and state employee benefits, Gov. Chris Gregoire is finally talking about raising taxes instead of axing more state services.
But that will only mean more hardship for many, unless Democrats finally correct our punitive tax structure. Repealing the sales tax and levying reasonable corporate taxes and an income tax on the rich would cover the deficit with ease.
It would also boost the economy, since those of us on the bottom put our money right back into circulation, unlike those who get all the tax breaks now.
— Megan Cornish, Seattle
We dropped the shovel, but our governor showed courage
I am ashamed Gov. Chris Gregoire must go hat in hand, apologetically, to the Legislature to close tax loopholes and raise needed revenues, because she wants to avoid cutting essential state programs. I am doubly ashamed of Republican promises, in turn, to attack her for her courage.
Filling this budget hole was our job, and we’ve dropped the shovel.
Washington state is being eroded by an archaic tax system. Our support for public education has dropped on a per-capita basis from 24th to 46th in the nation over the past 17 years. Our proportion of personal income spent to support our roads, schools, police and fire departments, our clean air, water and public health has dropped a similar 17 percent.
Washington has the most regressive tax system in the nation — dead last.
We need an immediate fix for the $2.6 billion hole in our budget. Longer term, we need a fairer, more adequate tax system that supports essential services and lifts the special burden we are placing on our poor, the elderly and small businesses.
Our governor has shown courage. It’s our turn to help fix this mess.
— Timothy W. Keller, Seattle