Rep. Chris Corry criticizes Legislature for passing state income tax despite rejected taxpayer protections
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Rep. Chris Corry criticizes Legislature for passing state income tax despite rejected taxpayer protections
Rep. Chris Corry says the Legislature’s majority party moved forward with legislation creating Washington’s first state income tax despite serious constitutional concerns, rejected taxpayer protections, and what he called broken promises about how the money will actually be used.
Substitute Senate Bill 6346 would impose a new income tax structure in Washington that exempts some but will eventually come for all.
Corry said the proposal raises serious concerns about trust and fiscal responsibility.
“Over the past decade, the state operating budget has roughly doubled,” said Corry. “At the same time, we continue to see spending grow faster than revenue, followed by budget gaps closed with one-time money and accounting shifts. That kind of fiscal record makes it difficult for Washington taxpayers to simply trust promises that a new income tax will remain limited.”
Corry said one of the biggest concerns is that the threshold could easily change in the future.
“Supporters say this tax only applies above a certain income level,” said Corry. “But when lawmakers refuse to guarantee that protection in law, and even acknowledge publicly that the threshold could change, it raises an obvious question. If it is truly limited, why not lock it in?”
During a floor debate that lasted more than 24 hours, House Republicans offered several amendments designed to protect taxpayers and increase transparency. Those proposals were rejected.
Among them were amendments that would have required voter approval before the income threshold could ever be lowered, required the state to notify Washington workers if lawmakers attempt to expand the tax to lower-income levels, and allowed voters to decide the issue directly through a referendum.
Republicans also offered amendments intended to reduce costs for working Washingtonians, including proposals to lower sales taxes, create tax relief for families, and provide additional protections for small businesses and agricultural producers. Those proposals were also rejected.
Corry said the debate also revealed broken promises about how the new tax revenue would be used.
“Supporters repeatedly claimed this tax would fully fund school lunches,” said Corry. “But that promise does not appear anywhere in the actual bill language. Instead, the revenue simply flows into the general fund, where it can be spent on anything. That disconnect between the talking points and the bill itself is another reason people are skeptical.”
Corry also raised concerns about the constitutionality of creating an income tax in Washington.
“For nearly a century, Washington courts have consistently held that income is treated as property under our state constitution, which requires uniform taxation,” said Corry. “If lawmakers want to overturn that precedent, the honest path is a constitutional amendment and a vote of the people.”
Corry said the Legislature should instead focus on affordability and responsible budgeting.
“Families across Washington are already dealing with rising costs for housing, groceries, fuel, and child care,” said Corry. “Before asking taxpayers for more, state government should demonstrate that it can manage the record revenue it already collects and focus on policies that make life more affordable.”
