Four of the bill hearings scheduled on February 14 in the Washington State Legislature involve new ways for your taxes to go up

Donald Kimball
Washington Policy Center

When it comes to money, it looks like the state legislative session is taking a note from comedian Jackie Mason, who admitted, “Money is not the most important thing in the world. Love is. Fortunately, I love money.” And there is a LOT of that kind of love in the air around the Capitol lately!

As we approach Valentine’s Day, the holiday of romance, what better way for the legislature to show its affections than by spending this Valentine’s Day dreaming up ways to take more of our money into their hands.

Four of the bill hearings scheduled on February 14 involve new ways for your taxes to go up. The bills include an increase in local property taxes, new wealth taxes, removing restrictions on property taxes, and even an increase in the death tax. 

With all these potential increases on the horizon, you might have to opt for the single rose and fun-sized chocolate box this year for that special someone. At least you can take solace in the fact that since true love is all about sacrifice, Olympia is poised to make you become a more loving person this Valentine’s Day.

Four bills scheduled for a Valentine’s Day hearing: 

• Increasing local property taxes
• Wealth taxes
• Removing property tax uniformity clause
• Massively increasing death tax

Donald Kimball is the communications manager, free markets destroy lead and tech exchange editor at the Washington Policy Center.

---

Also read:

• 
  Opinion: ‘Seeking might over right destroys representative government’
  Retired judge Dave Larson argues that prioritizing political power over constitutional principles has undermined representative government and calls for renewed civic responsibility.
• 
  Letter: ‘Immigration’ resolution scheduled for this Wednesday at Clark County Council Meeting
  Rob Anderson urges residents to closely watch an upcoming Clark County Council meeting where an immigration-related resolution and proposed rule changes are expected to be discussed.
• 
  Opinion: The 1700-square-foot solution to Washington’s housing crisis
  An opinion column arguing that Washington’s energy code has driven up housing costs and outlining how HB 2486 aims to limit those impacts for smaller, more affordable homes.
• 
  Letter: Public school vision
  Clark County resident Larry Roe urges a deeper community discussion about public school priorities, levy funding, and the long-term affordability of education for local families.
• 
  Opinion: House Bill 1834 would create a regulatory nightmare and restricts parental control on social media
  Mark Harmsworth argues that House Bill 1834 would undermine parental authority and create sweeping regulatory and legal risks under the guise of protecting minors online.