Initiative to prohibit income taxes in Washington has its day in Olympia
In a packed hearing room on Tuesday, Washington lawmakers heard loud and clear from members of the public that many do not want an income tax in their state, county, or city.
Nearly 200 people signed up to have their voices heard and another 6,000 signed in either for or against a citizen-backed initiative that would prohibit state and local governments from imposing a tax on personal income. Almost 90% of those signed in were in favor of the initiative.
“This initiative is designed to do one thing: codify in law the state’s longstanding tradition of not having an income tax,” initiative sponsor Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, told the committee.
Tuesday’s public hearing is the first of three on Walsh-introduced initiatives that, if not approved by the Legislature, will make their way to the ballot this November. Initiatives concerning police vehicle pursuits and parents’ voices in the education of their children in public schools will both get hearings on Wednesday.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/02/27/initiative-to-prohibit-income-taxes-in-washington-has-its-day-in-olympia/