Time to tax incomes in this state

SARA EVE SARLIKER; Olympia • Published October 08, 2011 Modified October 07, 2011

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With the news that Gov. Chris Gregoire is looking for $2 billion in savings from budget cuts, I say it’s time to raise revenue for the state by taxing individual income.

Those who say that raising taxes will cut jobs will have to show me how not having an income tax in Washington state has saved us from the great recession.

It hasn’t.

I’m willing to pay my share to keep funding education, health care, public safety, transportation and more.

There are no more big state budget cuts that can be made that won’t have a serious impact on the quality of life of everyone in our state.

Washington has the most regressive taxes of any state in the nation, with the wealthiest residents paying less than 3 percent of income in taxes, while those who make less than $20,000 per year pay more than 17 percent in income taxes.

It’s time for people who have enough to weather this economic storm to step up and help out those who may not survive it.

To Gov. Gregoire, and every resident of this state: Enough. No more budget cuts.

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