Income tax on the way – – Senate Democrats see an opening

Senate Democrats, including Majority Leader Lisa Brown, have signed onto a bill which would implement an income tax on Washington state residents.

As presented, the bill would tack a one percent income tax on all people making more than $500,000 a year.  The money would be used to fund education.

Republicans have damed the bill as a “tax on the rich” but I think they’re off base.  I think it will become an income tax on everyone in the near future.

Taxing the rich seems like a good idea.  Setting the bar at half a million doesn’t seem to hurt the average taxpayer – – but it will.    Next year that bar will be lowered to those making a quarter of a million and then lowered to $100,000.   Before you can say “Income Tax” everyone of us will pay the new tax.

The camel the nose and the tent best come to mind.  Let the camel’s now into the tent and soon the whole camel will be in the tent.  That’s the same way it is with an income tax.  Once an income tax is approved in this state, it’s only a matter of a few short years – – and we’ll all be paying a state income tax.

During the Great Depression people thought an income tax was a good idea and voters in Washington state in 1932 approved a state income tax.  The State Supreme Court said it was illegal.   At least twice since then an income tax was placed before the people, most recently in 1973 when 77 percent of the voters said NO to a state income tax.

Senate Democrats must have been reading polls which show that people want the rich to pay more.  Their idea is a state income tax on those making more than $500,000.

But be warned.  Once a state income tax is approved – – it will soon be you who will be paying the tax.

(UPDATE) – Governor Christine Gregorie said today,  that an income tax is illegal and is off the table.