What do you all think of I-1098? (credit, buying)

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by AlohaHuey

Income tax in WA is inevitable. You can hope and wish all you want, but the financial reality is that sooner or later, the state will have to come up with enough revenue to met their obligations. Hence, an income tax.

"Cutting the budget" is a pithy solution, when the budget has been picked over by the vultures for several years already. How much more is there to cut?

Income tax in WA is not inevitable. It might be the best course to take, but it ain't gonna happen. No income tax is very deeply ingrained here. People would rather pay higher sales tax and higher property taxes instead of an income tax, if they had to choose. Income tax here is viewed as some kind of poison, a lethal disease.

[superdeluxe]

Originally Posted by AlohaHuey

"Cutting the budget" is a pithy solution, when the budget has been picked over by the vultures for several years already. How much more is there to cut?

Considering that spending has completely outpaced inflation, I think there are a few things that can still be cut or reduced

[Dendrite]

Originally Posted by Ira500

Income tax in WA is not inevitable. It might be the best course to take, but it ain't gonna happen. No income tax is very deeply ingrained here. People would rather pay higher sales tax and higher property taxes instead of an income tax, if they had to choose. Income tax here is viewed as some kind of poison, a lethal disease.

I agree with you Ira but I also think that the average voter in WA is smart enough to realize that it wouldn't be too many years before our friends in Olympia would feel the need to include most of the middle class income earners in this mix as well-

Besides, last time I checked the state income tax in CA hadn't done much to solve their red ink problems.

So in the final analysis the majority of WA citizens are going to fund our huge state budget deficit regardless of the method of aquisition of needed dollars (perhaps "extortion of needed dollars" would be a more appropriate phrase to use here! ). Be that in the form of increased sales and/or property taxes or, perhaps ultimately, the implementation of what would likely become an ever expanding WA state income tax system...

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Ira500

Income tax in WA is not inevitable. It might be the best course to take, but it ain't gonna happen. No income tax is very deeply ingrained here. People would rather pay higher sales tax and higher property taxes instead of an income tax, if they had to choose. Income tax here is viewed as some kind of poison, a lethal disease.

Federal Income Tax started as a temporary tax that only effected a few of the super wealthy... it hasn't gone away and now includes most folks...

If I had my way... it would be more like the European Model... high sales and income tax... very low property tax...

I fear property tax the most in WA from experience... it is something all property owners are subject too and unlike sales and income which require action on the taxpayer's part... property tax just happens and it has been double digit for me and many of neighbors...

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

Federal Income Tax started as a temporary tax that only effected a few of the super wealthy... it hasn't gone away and now includes most folks...

If I had my way... it would be more like the European Model... high sales and income tax... very low property tax...

I fear property tax the most in WA from experience... it is something all property owners are subject too and unlike sales and income which require action on the taxpayer's part... property tax just happens and it has been double digit for me and many of neighbors...

Completely agree. I also see property taxes as the most sneaky,unpredictable, and evil. Nothing has changed for many homeowners. Their income is the same, but too often they have been forced to move because of skyrocketing property taxes. They don't benefit when there's a real estate bubble. And how many of us have seen their property taxes go down, even though property values have fallen 20, 25, 30%+ in the last few years? Mine have gone down maybe 5%, after almost tripling in the last ten years.

[Wolf14016]

I don't like venturing into political discussions, but I'd have to agree with the property tax argument.

I was born and raised here in Washington, and while I'm a good five or ten years away from settling down permanent - The Army does like to move us around - I don't know if I'll want/be able to buy a home here with both the property taxes and real estate prices.

Even though I have family here, I'm looking at other states where real estate is cheaper.

[AlohaHuey]

Originally Posted by Dendrite

I agree with you Ira but I also think that the average voter in WA is smart enough to realize that it wouldn't be too many years before our friends in Olympia would feel the need to include most of the middle class income earners in this mix as well-

Besides, last time I checked the state income tax in CA hadn't done much to solve their red ink problems.

So in the final analysis the majority of WA citizens are going to fund our huge state budget deficit regardless of the method of aquisition of needed dollars (perhaps "extortion of needed dollars" would be a more appropriate phrase to use here! ). Be that in the form of increased sales and/or property taxes or, perhaps ultimately, the implementation of what would likely become an ever expanding WA state income tax system...

You can thank thirty-plus years of Prop 13 for California's budget woes. At what point are higher taxes a possibility for anyone? We're become spoiled to tax hikes; nobody has the political will to present the reality of the budget, so it becomes pass the buck...which is unsustainable.

Endlessly cutting a budget that has been chopped to the bone for years isn't going to do much.

[CarlB328]

A few short years ago, this state had something like a 9 billion dollar surplus. So yes, I do think we can cut our way out of it. It's obvious that we were pulling in PLENTY of money before the politicians went all bat*#@! crazy with the spending

The deficit is because Bush cut funding to the states, and haven't all levels of gov't been receiving less in taxes due to the recession?

[Ira500]

A few short years ago, this state had something like a 9 billion dollar surplus.

Yes, that was our " rainy day" fund. But as some people around here know, we get a lot of rainy days.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Ira500

A few short years ago, this state had something like a 9 billion dollar surplus.

Yes, that was our " rainy day" fund. But as some people around here know, we get a lot of rainy days.

I was attracted to WA for many reasons... I love the mix of climate, lush green vegetation and Puget Sound... all located between two of my favorite National Parks.

Before I made my purchase, I did my research and Prop I-747 was my deciding factor to purchase.

I-747 was Washington's version of CA Prop 13... both measures passed with large voter support.

I-747 was ultimately struck down and my taxes increased 80% in following 24 months. Property values has now fallen significantly and my taxes remain the same... HIGH

It is the same for my neighbors... some of whom built their modest homes back in the 1950's and now find their taxes have doubled or more in the last few years...

Out of control and unpredictable property taxes have an insidious effect on economic activity... my plans to modernize and do a modest addition are on indefinite hold... and holding on is what I and my neighbors are trying to do...