Lawmakers must pass an income tax bill

MARY WILDENHAUS; Olympia • Published January 25, 2012 Modified January 24, 2012

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With all our state’s budgetary woes, I think it is time for Washington’s legislators to seriously consider instituting a state income tax.

As I understand it, we are one of only nine states that does not have an income tax. Income tax is a fair way of asking residents to pay their share towards receiving services for all, since tax is paid in relation to the amount of income received.

Granted we have a high sales tax, but our governor and legislators are constantly trying to figure ways to meet obligations. There are states like Arizona, for example, that have not only a state income tax but high sales tax (9.7 percent) as well.

With good planning, we could create a sustainable system of funding our state. It is time for residents of this beautiful state to pay our fair share so that we have a good transportation system, clean water, quality education, etc.

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Time to tax incomes in this state

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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.
Time to tax incomes in this state

Time to tax incomes in this state

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.
Collective needs trump self-interest

Collective needs trump self-interest

Let’s see. Revenues for the state are down by billions of dollars. Those revenues come from the sales tax. People are buying less, so less taxes are being collected.
Legislators eye income tax

Legislators eye income tax

State Rep. Chris Reykdal and Sen. David Frockt are proposing a 1 percent state tax on corporate and personal incomes in exchange for killing off the state business and occupation tax and reducing the state sales tax.
Rep. Reykdal: New income tax proposal on way

Rep. Reykdal: New income tax proposal on way

State Rep. Chris Reykdal and Sen. David Frockt are proposing a 1 percent state tax on corporate and personal incomes, while killing off the state business-occupations tax and reducing the state sales tax.

The bill language is still being finalized, but Reykdal, a Tumwater Democrat, said he hopes to gather signatures as soon as Monday for his House version of the bill.