Our Representatives Ignore The People

Frank’s Essay – Washing State Income Tax

The Washington State court system finally did something right. At least Judge Brian Huber did. He ruled in favor of the Freedom Foundation and Opportunity for all Coalition in its suit to strike down the state income tax on capital gains.

The news article that reported the judge’s ruling was written by Spokesman Review reporter, Laurel Demkovich. The name doesn’t ring a bell, but it is obvious from the article she is as liberal as Shawn Vestal. There is a difference, however, in that Mr. Vestal offers his comments as opinion, and this article was in the news section. I frequently disagree with Mr. Vestal’s opinion and occasionally with his supporting facts, but he is honest about his bias. Ms. Demkovich, on the other hand, camouflages, her personal opinion and makes believe it is news. For example, she quotes Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s false claim that funding for childhood education and school construction hinges on this new tax. She does not mention the state has a record tax surplus prior to enacting this law. She includes the general argument for an income tax, but fails to mention the voters have repeatedly said they don’t want one. I get angry when reporters distort the news to support a preconceived agenda. That is why I watch neither Fox News nor CNN. They both do a disservice to responsible journalists.

Although the Attorney General vows to repeal the decision, this is a poorly cloaked attempt to open the door for a state income tax. Proponents have tried twelve times to convince the voters of Washington of a need for an income tax. The measure was voted down every time; the last time by an overwhelming margin. So, income tax advocates, who include our esteemed governor, decided to sneak in through the back door. The liberals in the legislature used the emergency funding provisions of our constitution in an attempt to bypass the people. The emergency provision is intended for those rare cases when the state doesn’t have enough money to fund essential services. It allows for immediate new tax without a vote of the people. In this case, there was no emergency – none -zero. Our state has the largest tax surplus in its history. There was no need for additional funding for anything. If the legislature wanted to increase the money allotted for early childhood education, all they had to do was allocate it out of the surplus. The perceived need was to bypass the voters and open the door for an income tax!

Judge Huber found the tax on capital gains earnings is an income tax, and therefore, illegal without a vote of the electorate. I agree. The Governor and his tax and spend followers thought they could get away with it because it effects less than one per cent of all Washington taxpayers. It will certainly not impact me. The chances of me enjoying a $250,000 profit from selling stocks and bonds is farfetched to say the least. But the voters are not as stupid as the bills sponsors thought. We saw the bill for what it was; an underhanded attempt to get an income tax on the books for proponents to build on.

What happened to government by the people, for the people? Elected officials who ignore the will of the voters should be driven from office.

Frank Watson is a retired Air Force Colonel and long time resident of Eastern Washington. He has been a free-lance columnist for over 20 years.