Property taxes top $10 billion — another key reason to pass I-1366 next week

by | Oct 26, 2015

 Last week, the Washington State Department of Revenue released a new report on property taxes — it’s stunning: 

        You read that right:  in 1980, state and local governments imposed and collected $1 billion in property taxes.
 
       This year, in 2015, state and local governments will impose and will collect over $10 billion in property taxes.
 
        Jimminy Christmas, how much is enough?

 

      How can any government complain that property taxes aren’t high enough already?  How can any politician complain that taxpayers aren’t paying enough in taxes?  Even after factoring in inflation and population growth, there’s no denying that property taxes have skyrocketed and the tax burden on the citizens is heavier than it’s ever been.
 
       Besides skyrocketing property taxes, we have one of the highest sales taxes in the nation, one of the highest gas taxes in the nation, the highest death tax in the nation, we’re the only state to impose a B&O business tax on gross sales, liquor/cigarette/marijuana taxes are sky high.  How can any argue we’re undertaxed?  How can anyone not understand the desire of almost 2/3 of voters to make it tougher to raise taxes?
 
       And despite this clear message from the people, all we’re hearing about from politicians is the supposed necessity of $17.5 billion in additional taxes imposed over the next 10 years for more government spending (which is on top of the jaw-dropping $17.5 billion in higher taxes from this year’s legislative session).  How is this not proof positive that Olympia has an insatiable tax appetite?
 
        It’s another key reason for voters to pass Initiative 1366 next week. 
         We’re working as hard as we can to pass I-1366 in November.  Our anti-democratic opponents are trying to stop it.  It’s clear that we need your support now more than ever.  Please help us (see below).