Against the measure
Former Senator Slade Gorton explained that income tax Initiative 1098 would weaken the state economy, reduce charitable giving, and "add tens of thousands of people to our unemployment rolls."
Gorton continued that state lawmakers would very likely extend an income tax to everyone in the state.
If 1098 becomes law, it is likely that legislature eventually will extend the tax to all income levels, not just the ones who work and earn a good salary. If 1098 becomes law, a simple majority vote of the Legislature can extend the new income tax to all Washingtonians in two years. (See video, 'Ken Schram on the street.')
The Legislature can also change where the money goes, and it may not necessarily go to education and healthcare.
Matt McIlwain, managing director at Madrona Venture Group, noted that state funding for both higher education and the K-12 school system has steadily increased over the years and questions whether it is being spent effectively.
He also believes the tax would soon be extended to include all earners:
Seattle Times, 'Follow the money': "WHO is the big money in the fight over a Washington state income tax? It is the unions."
"1098 creates a 9% state income tax, it's initially on high earners. There has never been a state in the history of the United States that hasn't ultimately had their income tax applied to everyone in the state." Matt McIlwain
Who supports Initiative 1098? (click here) - Partial list of organizations endorsing Yes on 1098:
League of Education Voters
League of Women Voters of Washington
Main Street Alliance
Washington Public Health Association
Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans
Washington Association for the Education of Young Children
Washington Association of Churches
Washington Association of Community and Migrant Health Centers
Washington Bus
Washington Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics
Washington Coalition of Rabbis
Washington Community Action Network
Washington Education Association
Washington Federation of State Employees
Washington State Home Care Coalition
Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Washington NOW
Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Washington State Democrats
Washington State Labor Council
Washington State PTA
Washington State Senior Citizens' Lobby
Washington Student Association
Washington Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice
Children's Alliance
Community Health Plan of Washington
Disability Rights Washington
ElderCare Alliance
Greater Seattle Business Association
The Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce
Lutheran Community Services Northwest
Latino Political Action Committee of Washington
NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Foundation
Puget Sound Alliance of Retired Americans
SEIU Washington State Council
Japanese American Citizens League Seattle Chapter
Statewide Poverty Action Network
Asian Community Leadership Foundation
Inland Empire Residential Resources
One America
"State and county Democratic Party organizations support the initiative, since the Democratic Party supports higher taxes as a rule. Unions make up a good part of the list as well, since they follow their masters in the Democratic Party." ..."The Washington Organization of Churches, an ecumenical organization, is listed as well. Apparently, there are no concerns over "separation of church and state" if the cause is progressive enough, or supported by enough liberals." (Spokane conservative examiner)
"The Legislature is not afraid to increase taxes. When they are given this, it will be a bonanza the likes of which they have never seen — and they will go wild."
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