In Our View, Feb. 7: Hold the Line

Momentum building in Olympia for increasing taxes

Sunday, February 7, 2010

If you happen to have been walloped by the recession (and who among us has not?) then you’ve got to believe the worst kind of momentum is building in Olympia. Legislators aren’t speaking so much about specific tax increases, but they’re sure moving in that direction.

Before we administer a reprimand, it should be pointed out that not all new revenue sources would be bad. Here’s one example: Many members of the Democratically controlled Legislature want to tax some out-of-state businesses’ transactions in Washington. That makes sense, especially if it would allow in-state businesses to compete more evenly. An Associated Press story last week reported that about $270 million could be raised by a bill that included such a strategy.

Our complaint is not with new revenue sources, per se, although we have a long-term concern about the value of short-term new revenue sources such as federal stimulus money. But The Columbian for two years has adamantly opposed tax increases on Washingtonians, and Democrats in Olympia are setting the table for doing precisely that. Senate Bill 6843, among its many flawed provisions, would suspend until July 2011 the two-thirds approval requirement that voters mandated for legislators in 2007 with Initiative 960.

The Columbian editorially opposed that initiative back then, but we accepted the voters’ decision. This year, our vehement opposition to tax increases is based not so much on the concept itself as the timing. As President Obama has noted, increasing taxes during the worst economic crisis in 70 years is foolish and harmful. And remember, I-960 was passed during better — albeit still rough — economic times.

If the Legislature can find revenue sources other than tax increases, those should not be dismissed outright but considered individually and perhaps even supported. But that’s not all Washingtonians are hearing out of Olympia. We’re also hearing talk about tax increases on candy, bottled water and other products. Trying to impose a tax increase on the fewest number of people, or trying to isolate a tax increase by training it on indulgences or sins, does not make it any more digestible to recession-ravaged people. It’s still a tax increase.

Democrats, to their great credit, proved last year that they can overcome a budget shortfall without increasing taxes. And that deficit was more than triple the size of this year’s $2.6 billion monster. Of course, the predictable response is that all of the possible cuts were used up last year. They’ve done all they can do. But Washingtonians heard that same lament last year before the cutting started.

This year, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, has said: “Continuing to cut deeply into essential public services at a time when the public needs them the most will do damage to our communities and our long-term economic future.” But rephrase that warning from the aspect of the average family: Grabbing more money when families need that money more than ever will damage those families and their long-term economic future.

Another gimmick in SB 6943 is almost as offensive. Currently tax and fee proposals are required to show cost projections over 10 years. Democrats want to reduce that to six years. We don’t see how taking a shorter-term view of the fiscal impact can possibly make budget planning more efficient.

The only good thing about SB 6943, from a purely parochial perspective, is that its nine sponsors do not include any Democrats who serve Clark County. But you can be certain that local Democrats are under intense pressure in caucus meetings, and don’t be surprised if any or all of them vote in ways that would accelerate this worst kind of momentum.

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Comments

If the democratic party in Washington pursues this course, it will be catastrophic for them in 2010 elections.

LB — February 7, 2010 at 10:18 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

is the Columbian begging again to keep it's special newspaper welfare status and cheap rates under the B&O tax, cheating the education of our children that they so falsely proclaim.

No_205_Bridge — February 7, 2010 at 11:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

LB, if the Democratic Party pursues this course, it will be catastrophic for everyone, period.

goldenoldie — February 7, 2010 at 1:31 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

How about a little more emphasis on cutting spending?

clarkcountie — February 7, 2010 at 5:38 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

That would be a concept now wouldn't it, ClarkCountie.

goldenoldie — February 7, 2010 at 5:47 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

They ARE Democrats after all....a name that has become synonymous with the phrase "tax and spend" for quite a few decades.

Yeah, and Bush slipped his leash and made like a Democrat, but THAT doesn't make it right. Two wrongs, one by Dems and one by Repubs, just makes two wrongs and no rights, corrects or positives...but the Dems keep saying, "Well, the Repubs did it too!!", like that means anything anymore.

Golden & clark, there is only so much cutting that can be done, and still be able to help those who truly need help. The trouble with Dems is that they believe that EVERYBODY needs help...they love the idea of a Nanny state where they can "take care of" even those who are doing fine without them.

But, yes, let's go for the "sin tax"....BUT Big D Government should NOT really count on that money because what happens to the things that are financed on, let's just say, cigarette use taxes when people stop using cigs......NO MONEY, or, at least, less money than was thought to be there. Tax gasoline, and people will pull back on their driving, and there goes the services that were going to be financed with the "gas tax". See how that works, or rather does NOT work.....evidently, the Dems in OR and WA just cannot learn that lesson in economics---but the tax PAYERS have.

penny3 — February 7, 2010 at 7:57 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Ever notice that when Democrats don't get raise taxes as much as they want, they cry they will have cut "essential public services?"

There's nothing else that be cut?

How eliminating too? Why must the taxpayers in Washington subsidize the storage, distribution and sale of liquor throughout the state?

Sell it off to private business, continue to monitor for underage sales, as they currently do and collect the taxes. It seems to work everywhere else.

Surely there are more areas like this that can save the state money.

Oh, I forgot. We cannot end taxpayer subsidized liquor sales because retail clerks are in the Union.

LewWaters — February 8, 2010 at 8:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Thanks Lou for giving me the "Red Meat" to take a another shot at Gregoire and her "Tax and Spend" democrats!..Now I wont bore you or waste your important time. 20 blog posts here on this subject should suffice!...Here I rather want to re-emphasize the dilemna that this state is in!...This state is going broke in a handbasket...If we dont rally the troops,we are going to reach a point where this state is going to slide into fiscal disaster!....So again I repeat what I have consistently said!..."Stop the run away train!"...Start putting pressure on this irresponsible,stupid,brainless,relic-ridden state government by going after them editorially!..If you value peace,steady growth and prosperity for all us citizens,then take action that has been crying out loud for much too long!...Put the blame square where it belongs!...On Murray,Cantwell,Gregoire and the whole damn democratic machine that runs this state!...Kick 'em out!

sockeye — February 8, 2010 at 2:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

conservative faithful,

don't forget, it was a conservative cut taxes Republican commish that voted to raise your property taxes this year. OMG

don't forget, it was a couple of your cut and run Republican commishs that voted to raise sales tax in this county.

and it was your beloved GOP state Sen. "Steelhead Abortionist" Zarelli that pushed through a taxpayer funded waste of $400,000 on the E. Ford of the Lewis below Daybreak to solely benefit 2 private property owners.

No_205_Bridge — February 9, 2010 at 2:13 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Interesting article on Benton activities:

http://www.soundpolitics.com/archives...

Other news that I heard today, Patty Murray and John McCain are pushing for repeal of Glass-Steagall. Wonder what Benton would support?

Mrs_T — February 9, 2010 at 5:06 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

Mrs T: Just like the first poster on that article, it makes me want to go Hmmmmmm.....

Thanks for pulling that link up. To be informed of facts is always good. I'm just wondering if this is only Senator Benton who has made these kinds of boo boos in their careers. No offense mind you, but maybe you could tell me what politician doesn't make poor judgments whether they are Repub, Demo, Indy, Green Party and so on.

goldenoldie — February 10, 2010 at 6:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

goldenoldie - certainly agree that many on both sides are guilty! I am not a feminist, but wonder what the ratio is between our women elected officials and the men? Reading your post made that thought cross my mind... "indiscretions", tax evasion, etc. I know of a few that have made trips, etc., as they all do, but it would be interesting to research.
I don't remember much negative press about Cantwell and Murray, though I'm sure there is some. I know Murray has done much fighting for our Vets. So far, she has my vote. We'll see who else may come forward.

Mrs_T — February 10, 2010 at 9:10 a.m. ( | suggest removal )