A newly surfaced internal draft from the Washington State Legislature suggests that lawmakers are quietly developing a proposal to implement a state income tax, despite long-standing voter opposition.
According to a report from KIRO Newsradio, the working document outlines a 9.9% tax on individual income exceeding $1 million. While proponents may frame this as a “millionaire tax” targeting the state’s wealthiest residents, the draft contains several controversial provisions. Most notably, the proposal includes language designed to override existing voter-approved bans on income taxes, potentially clearing a legal path for a broader implementation in the future.
Critics of the plan argue that the measure is a “bait-and-switch” tactic. They suggest that while the initial threshold is set high to gain public messaging advantages, the infrastructure of an income tax, once established, could eventually be expanded to lower income brackets. Additionally, the draft reportedly includes “emergency” clauses that could prevent the measure from being challenged or overturned by a public referendum.
The revelation of this document has sparked immediate pushback from fiscal conservatives and anti-tax advocates, who maintain that Washington voters have repeatedly and decisively rejected the idea of an income tax at the ballot box. As the legislative session continues, this proposal is expected to become a central point of debate regarding the state’s fiscal future and the limits of legislative authority.
For further analysis on how this proposal could affect the state’s economy, you can watch this breakdown of the income tax bill. This video provides a detailed look at the specific language used in the draft and discusses the potential long-term implications for Washington taxpayers.
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