Washington State Treasurer's Big Plan to Fund Education
I have to give credit to State Treasurer Jim McIntire. He went all in on a new plan that wouldn't just fund public education but entirely revamp how our state collects taxes. (His plan apparently would fund what State Superintendent Randy Dorn suggested for public ed spending.)
He would:
I am not in a position to analyze (I'm not sure I even have that skill set) but I'm with him - a conversation needs to be started.
And, as usual, you have legislators like ed reform's Rep. Chad Magendanz (R-Issaquah) who says nah, we just need to shuffle around the deck chairs. He is right that this can't be done in conjunction with meeting the mandates of McCleary on the Supreme Court's timeline.
He would:
- create a 5% personal income tax
- get rid of the state property tax
- lower the state sales tax (from 5.5 to 6.5%)
- and reduce some business taxes
I am not in a position to analyze (I'm not sure I even have that skill set) but I'm with him - a conversation needs to be started.
And, as usual, you have legislators like ed reform's Rep. Chad Magendanz (R-Issaquah) who says nah, we just need to shuffle around the deck chairs. He is right that this can't be done in conjunction with meeting the mandates of McCleary on the Supreme Court's timeline.
Comments
NEmom
Mom of 4
I estimate that this plan would increase my family's tax burden between $4,000 and $5,000. I'd be thrilled to pay that if in return we received free full day K, smaller class sizes and more counselors, nurses and librarians.
Willing taxpayer
Funny how the majority of privet sector workers do not have these benefits yet they pay for others to have them.
And since you don't mind paying more go ahead and pick up my bill while your at it.
gray poupon
-old school
I refuse to believe I will be paying for others children to attend FT daycare, when I had to have a second job to pay for preschool when my children attended. Do lawmakers think people can just reach under their mattress and pull out $5K.
I smell a revolt coming if these misguided PC politicians are allowed to continue to steal money from the middle class.
NOMORE TAXES
Whatever happened to an income tax on the wealthiest, the top 3-5%?
I do worry about the working poor and the affect an income tax would have on them.
But, I am willing...
-anotherwilling
That said, a flat tax (like this one) is regressive and ultimately hurtful to low income folks.
North End Parent
I am willing to have my taxes raised, though, to guarantee a steady source of education income for all. Just not along with curbs on our city fundraising.
SavvyVoter
I'd rather see 0% sales tax and entirely replaced by progressive income tax, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards.
Still I doubt anyone in Olympia will drink the political cyanide and put this to a citizens vote. This is all a bunch of huffing and puffing to deflect the damage from all the tax breaks given to special interest.
Re-elect theblowhards
Willing taxpayer
Many places are like the East side was when I was a kid.
Re-elect theblowhards
More taxes will mean higher pay and better benefits for the John Stanford center crowd.
Property tax includes all those from LOCAL levies/referendums as well. We can reduce the state portion of the property tax, but there are plenty more local property tax Seattle citizens are paying. Be smart and ask lots of questions.
For example, the latest ballot asking for an increase in property tax over 9 years to revamp emergency radio system for King County. Why is this essential service NOT part of the general budget? Why are state and local governments putting more and more essential services budget up for referendum vote Where are the general budget dollars going? Are money from local levies wisely used? Take the Family & Ed Levy and the push for a short term pre K experimentation? The push by our city officials to get our underfunded, out of space K-12 SPS to absorb their political project? Priority.
Why aren't big developers paying impact fees in Seattle?
Sure exempt < $50,000 families from income tax. In Seattle, we are already quite generous with subsidies for transportation to health carefor this group. FRL for families of 4 qualify if they make less than $44,000. Affordable housing is another matter as this city is ridding itself of that as in tearing down Yesler Terrace apts and replacing them with vague in the future unknowns (for shame!). What this means is it's the middle class who will get little relief. What poor citizens left in Seattle will be fewer, but taken care of (assuage the "progressive conscience"). Seattle sales tax is the highest. Will we see relief? No more funding by car tab tax?
I can go on. But people need to call out for verifiable and transparent accountability first before buying this. Remember all those BEXs, the ever growing number of well paid administrative positions popping up in SPS, preK, city hall, SDOT, WDPT, Sound Transit, UW. Think about the battle going now between poorly paid teaching assistants and UW (weigh this with Sally Clark's $150,000 cushy UW position).
Voter
We live in a capitalistic society and we can not ignore this reality.
The city will be asking for funds to support police and fire. They will save this levy for last. First, they got parks, prek and transportation. Who is going to pay for BERTHA?
the mayor just proposed a huge property tax levy for $900 million over 9 years for transportation. (More money for transit, street cars, bike lanes, but NOT to replace old, unsafe bridges which carry people. Just more millions to study how to replace our bridges. Sigh.)
Voter
It's a lot. The next time someone says, "oh, it's just XX dollars a year," I'm going to consider that it adds on or expands that tax.
And I am nowhere as burdened as other people in this city.
I do believe in libraries and schools and emergency services but yes, I think there's a tipping point.