Our Tax
Structure Should be Adequate and Equitable
We believe
that our tax system should be fair and that it should adequately fund the
services our communities need and want.
Washington has the most regressive tax system in the country - one in which
low and moderate income
families spend far more of
what they earn in state and local taxes
than wealthy people do.
Meanwhile, our
state budget is a roller-coaster ride
(not the fun kind) with frequent deficits
and not enough steady income to meet our needs.
Griping about taxes
has caused us to lose sight of their value and made it
easier to sustain an unfair system.
We think
it's time for a change!
Where in the world is Ben Secord?
Ben, our wonderful Organizer, is attending community get-togethers
around the state, talking to folks like you about our state tax system and
how we can work together to improve it.
The Washington Tax Fairness Coalition has 75 +
member organizations, including: education, health, labor,
policy, senior citizen, civic, social justice, environmental, conservation, and
faith-based organizations.
A special welcome to
our newest member,
United Auto Workers Local 4121. We are proud members
of the Tax Fairness Organizing Collaborative
The Tax Fairness Organizing Collaborative is a
network of statewide organizations working at the grass-roots level for fair and
adequate taxation. Collaborative members believe that educating and organizing
those most affected by economic injustice are essential ingredients for
achieving sustainable progressive economic policies and greater governmental
accountability. For more information about the Collaborative,
click
here. |
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Sign up
to get alerts on key tax issues and actions.
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Making the Case for the
Working Families Tax Rebate
Our partners at the Washington State Budget &
Policy Center just released a new report on the Working Families Tax Rebate.
They argue that Washington lawmakers should
consider raising revenue to avoid deep budget cuts that will harm the state and
use the Working Families Tax Rebate to offset the disproportionate impact a
regressive tax increase would have on lower income families.
Read it
here.
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Where is
the Revenue?
$9 Billion.
That's the size of our current budget deficit, the largest in our state's
history.
Facing the worst recession
in decades, we need to invest in
education, healthcare and infrastructure to save jobs now and spur economic
recovery. We can't afford massive cuts in vital public supports and
services, not when struggling families need them most. That will only make
things worse.
A $9 Billion budget
shortfall is unprecedented and it requires bold solutions. Revenue options must be on the table.
We aren't the only ones
saying this. Check out this
letter signed by more than 20 economists
arguing that in a recession, revenue increases are FAR better than massive
budget cuts.
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The state
budget says a lot about what we value, what our goals are. What will this
one about us?
Cuts don't cut it! We
need smart solutions! Read more
here.
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Washington State Budget and
Policy Center Releases Progress Index
The report provides a broad vision
towards a positive economic future in Washington in which all Washingtonians can
thrive.
Read the
full report.
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Why Obama Should Scale Back on
His Plans to Cut the Federal Estate Tax
Read the
new report by Citizens for Tax Justice
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Time to Fund
the Working Families Rebate
Last Legislative session, we
help pass the Working Families Rebate, a tax cut for Working Families in
Washington.
Read more about why the
Legislature should fully fund the Rebate
here.
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State Spending Consistent Over
Last Decade
State spending on public priorities
like education, health care and transportation has remained consistent over the
past ten years when measured as a share of the economy.
It's clear the current deficit is
not the result of overspending. We need creative solutions to close the
budget gap!
To read more on
state spending trends, visit the Washington State Budget and Policy Center
here.
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High
Incomes Tax
Marilyn Watkins of the Economic
Opportunity Institute outlines an innovative proposal that would create revenue
and make our tax system more fair.
Read her excellent
guest column in the Seattle
Post-Intelligencer.
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Calendar |
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For more information, contact
Ben Secord.
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Washington Tax
Fairness Coalition
1402 Third Avenue, Suite 1211
Seattle, WA 98101
206-621-8213
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