By David Shaw, Lakewood resident
Bill Gates Sr. supports Initiative 1098 because “It’s good for the state of Washington.” He mentions a 20% decline in property taxes, a tax on only the top 1.2% earners, elimination of B&O taxes on small businesses, and lowering the state sales tax.
You need to ask yourself: How are these cuts feasible, especially in these times? What’s going to replace this lost revenue? The one thing missing from Mr. Gates’ promotion is that Initiative 1098 gives all of us a STATE INCOME TAX, something voters have rejected several times in the past.
If passed, how long will it be before property taxes begin to creep back up, before the 1.2% “ceiling” is lowered in order to capture more revenue, before B&O taxes are re-instated, and state sales tax rates increase? This state’s legislature recently disregarded “the will of the people” during the last session. Haven’t you noticed the sales tax on candy, bottled water, etc.? They state these ‘temporary’ taxes will be eliminated in a couple of years. Don’t bet on it.
Once the “camel gets its nose under the tent,” it is almost impossible to keep it out. It won’t be long before our state ranks right up there with California as being one of the most heavily taxed states in the country. California, along with forty-two additional states, have both a state income tax and sales tax which have not solved their revenue problems. Why should we vote to be like them?
Vote NO on I-1098.