Inslee’s last budget proposal, including its tax increases, is considered dead on arrival

Washington Policy Center

As he leaves office after 12 years, Governor Inslee joins the long line of Washington’s Democratic governors who came into office promising not to raise taxes and then left Washingtonians shouldering a heavier permanent tax burden.

Previously, Governor Inslee had announced he opposed increasing taxes. He told voters in October 2012 he would “veto anything that heads in the wrong direction and the wrong direction is new taxes in the state of Washington.” He added, “I do not believe tax increases are the right path for the state of Washington.”

Yesterday the Wall Street Journal called that “a whopper for the ages.

Once in power Inlsee added at least 22 new taxes to the public’s financial burden, including higher taxes on buying a home, higher property taxes, the state’s first ever tax on capital gains income, and a costly energy tax that inflates the price of everything. On leaving office Inslee now says he wants a further increase in business taxes and to impose a yearly “wealth” tax for the privilege of living in the state.

Inslee’s long tenure follows a pattern established by past Democratic governors. The Seattle Times has noted that “…candidates for [Washington] governor have a history of opposing tax increases during their campaign, only to have a change of heart once in office.”

When running for governor Christine Gregoire said, “Now is not the time you put taxes on people.” The Seattle Times reported “…Gregoire pledged not to increase taxes or fees to balance the state budget…” However, once elected she “proposed a raft of new taxes and approved the Legislature’s even larger $500 million tax package,” according to KOMO 4 News.

The Seattle Times likewise reported that Governor Gary Locke “edged away from a campaign promise to roll back 1993 increases in the business and occupation tax” and vetoed “a Republican-backed plan to cut the state property tax.

The Spokesman Review reported that candidate Mike Lowery “…says tax hikes could be last resort,” quoting him saying, “My last answer, not my first, is taxes.Fourteen days after winning, Governor-elect Lowery announced, “I don’t see a way out of the last resort of finding new revenues.”

Democrats have been in power as Washington’s governor for 40 years, longer than in any other state. Our new governor, Bob Ferguson, will be inaugurated in January, marking the 11th time in a row that a member of his party has done so.

Revenue reporting by the Office of Financial Management indicates tax collections are rising and the state has plenty of money to fund public services. Yet there is already talk among Democrats in the legislature about pushing for major tax increases next year.

Inslee’s last budget proposal, including its tax increases, is considered dead on arrival. It will be subject to complete revision by House and Senate committees, and of course to the wishes of the incoming governor.

It remains to be seen, then, whether Ferguson will continue the avaricious pattern of his predecessors, or instead seek to ease up on the financial stress state leaders impose on families and business owners every year.

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