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Tax Day protesters' message ignored in
Olympia
As thousands gathered to object to the tax-and-spend policies in
Olympia,
majority party drops $1 billion bill on taxpayers
Sending a message that
people are tired of pouring more tax dollars into the hands of
unrestrained spenders in Olympia, more than 5,000 protesters converged
on the state Capitol campus April 15. Ironically, the rally occurred the
same day majority party members in the House introduced several measures
to increase taxes. It's a move
Rep. Joel Kretz called "brazen."
"I have a lot of respect for the hard-working folks who came to
push back against efforts to burden families with new and higher taxes,"
said Kretz, R-Wauconda. "What I don't understand is how, when folks are
losing their jobs and barely making it, anyone would consider asking
people for more money. It's a prime example of how out of touch some
folks are in Olympia."
Kretz added he would not support any measures to increase taxes.
"Our district has the distinction of having counties with the highest
unemployment rates in the state - Ferry County has an unemployment rate
of more than 17 percent!" Kretz said. "Where on earth are people who are
out of work going to find more money to give the government?"
The House measures to increase taxes include:
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House Bill 2377 would increase the state sales tax from 6.5
percent to 6.8 percent for three years. It's expected this will
extract an additional $1 billion from taxpayers. It also
redistributes some of the tax money collected to low-income families
under a state "working family tax credit" program approved last
year.
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House Bill 2354 would create a new tax on "intangible" property,
such as stocks and bonds, interests in corporations, gold or other
precious metals, mutual funds, money market funds and other personal
investments. The tax would be levied as $1 for every $100 dollars of
intangible property for every resident in Washington.
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House Bill 2378 would increase the maximum school levy
percentages to retroactively collect money above the current
approved levy lids previously approved by voters.
"This list includes just a few ideas to dig further into taxpayer's
wallets," Kretz said. "The people spoke and let us know they have had it
with the big spenders in Olympia. The folks were clear yesterday - no
new taxes. I think we should honor their requests."
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For more information, contact:
Bobbi Cussins, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7252
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