Jason Mercier of the Washington Policy Center challenges the governor to follow his massive compensation increase for state government employees with tax relief for all Washingtonians
Jason Mercier
Washington Policy Center
The September revenue forecast continues to show $1.5 billion above expectations for 2021-23 since the February forecast. In other fiscal news, we learned today that the governor has agreed to a massive compensation increase for state government employees. With other states across the country continuing to provide tax relief to help with inflation costs, it is past time for state officials to prioritize broad-based tax relief for Washingtonians.
Earlier this week Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig talked about the prospects for broad-based tax relief with TVW (26:06 mark) and said it was on the table. Also, at AWB’s recent policy summit, Rep. Ed Orcutt said that he would push for property and sales tax relief in the 2023 legislative session.
With state government employee unions announcing today that their secret pay talks with the governor have resulted in the “largest compensation package” in history, I’m going to assume that based on the revenue forecast showing a $1.5 billion increase since February, the governor will also soon be announcing his support for tax relief for Washingtonians.
The 2021-23 revenue forecasts for Washington since last November were:
- Nov: $60.2 billion
- Feb: $61.7 billion
- June: $63.2 billion
- Sept: $63.2 billion
Broad-based tax relief provided: None.
Surely the governor wouldn’t have agreed to a huge pay increase for government employee union members unless he also planned to finally support broad-based tax relief as well.
As for the state government employee pay raises, OFM estimates the taxpayer cost information for those tentative agreements will be posted on its website on October 3.
Additional Information
The case for a Washington sales tax cut (video)
Jason Mercier is the director of the Center for Government Reform at the Washington Policy Center.
Also read:
- Letter: ‘Anyone from the majority party listening?’
In a letter to the editor, area resident Bob Zak argues that HB 1163 is unconstitutional and criticizes the legislative majority for supporting it. - POLL: Should the I-5 Bridge project be paused over cost and bidding concerns?Clark County Today’s weekly poll asks whether the I-5 Bridge replacement should be paused as questions grow around rising costs and a lack of competitive bids.
- Opinion: 18th District Sen. Adrian Cortes explains positions on legislation he voted onDick Rylander shares responses from Sen. Adrian Cortes about his votes and reasoning on major legislation this session.
- Opinion: ‘I’m more than just a little skeptical that IBR officials are doing everything they can to limit the cost of this project’
Ken Vance shares his concerns over rising costs and limited contractor interest in the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. - Letter: ‘IBR has relied on this video to instill fear in the public and government officials to promote the construction of a new bridge’Bob Ortblad questions IBR’s use of a seismic video and urges a shift toward tunnel alternatives in this critical letter to the editor.
