Treasurer Proposing 5% state income tax to fund schools (renters, universities)

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by PS90

Yes, exactly.

Just look at Eyeman's $30 car tab initiative. I don't remember how long ago that passed, but my car tabs have slowly crept back up, from $30 to just over $100 this year. They are still much lower than they once were, but clearly the state doesn't care that the voters wanted less taxes in that case, and are doing everything they can to slowly raise it back up.

No one now believes that any supposed "cuts" to property tax or sales tax will not slowly creep right back up, do they?

On the car tabs, I believe those added fees depend on local road and transportation initiatives that local voters pass. So if voters pass a road project in your county, it goes on your tabs. I believe that's the case and why the tab amounts will differ county to county. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[pikabike]

If there isn't enough money from one channel, it gets siphoned off by other means.

I think an income tax combined with a reduction in property and sales taxes (for example) would be good even if the net amount remains the same. Putting the eggs in several baskets is safer than betting one on source. Steady flow is easier to plan around than roller coasters.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by pikabike

If there isn't enough money from one channel, it gets siphoned off by other means.

I think an income tax combined with a reduction in property and sales taxes (for example) would be good even if the net amount remains the same. Putting the eggs in several baskets is safer than betting one on source. Steady flow is easier to plan around than roller coasters.

Are you retired?

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by Seacove

Are you retired?

Yes, but even if still working, I would still prefer the broader spread of taxes than concentrating it so heavily on a couple of ways. I lived in states with income tax my entire working life and the presence or absence of same would not be a reason to choose a place. For one thing, that situation could change.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by pikabike

Yes, but even if still working, I would still prefer the broader spread of taxes than concentrating it so heavily on a couple of ways. I lived in states with income tax my entire working life and the presence or absence of same would not be a reason to choose a place. For one thing, that situation could change.

I'm just thinking that people that are working will likely feel differently. It failed 65% to 35% last time.

[Ruth4Truth]

Schools? What about universities, do they count? Our universities shouldn't have to extort high tuitions from foreign students in order to fund operations, stealing seats that WA State residents would otherwise fill.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Schools? What about universities, do they count? Our universities shouldn't have to extort high tuitions from foreign students in order to fund operations, stealing seats that WA State residents would otherwise fill.

You live in New Mexico.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Seacove

You live in New Mexico.

So? It's a good question. Are universities included in the treasurer's definition of "schools"? The universities have been underfunded for too long. And it's not only the UW, of course; UC Berkeley has been struggling, and shoving in-state students aside for Chinese and other foreign students, too. But this is about WA State, so we're discussing "schools" there.

Besides, you never know when I may bounce back to a WA State community near you--I'm working on it.

[Tac-Sea]

I will gladly move to Florida or Nevada and take my high salary and rental properties with me (sell these and buy somewhere else). I already pay ENOUGH to perpetuate this welfare state.

[cdelena]

The more state bureaucracies get the more they want but don't expect major changes in results for your dollar. Increases in state taxes have far surpassed population growth and inflation and they continue to cry for more. I suggest we resist any moves to confiscate more from citizens.