State Democrats rush to raise taxes

Sensing new tax money in the air, Washington State legislators wearing the Democratic stripe are pre-filing bills to raise taxes.

Representative Marko Liias from Mukilteo has announced a bill that would levy a street utility tax.  Similar to other utility taxes such as on water or sewer, the street utility tax would allow local governments the option to enact it.

A similar bill was filed last session but went nowhere.  That bill would have allowed income from the street utility tax to go into the city’s general fund.  The new bill would restrict use of the money from “sidewalk to sidewalk.”  Thus freeing up some money which could then go back into the general fund.

The cost of the street utility tax would be calculated on the number of automobile trips generated.  The average single family home would pay $5 per month.   Businesses would be taxed based on square footage.

This is just the first of many new tax bills which will make their way through the Democratically controlled state legislature and many have a chance to become law.

Governor Christine Gregoire has let it be known that she wants to raise new revenue to the tune of about $700 million dollars.