WA Income Tax Supporters Face Questions About Future Tax Expansion

Washington's 9.9% income tax is facing a major repeal vote as supporters and opponents clash over Initiative 645, state spending and whether the millionaire's tax could eventually expand to lower-income households. At the Bellevue Chamber's Eastside Leadership Conference, Sen. Manka Dhingra and Children's Alliance executive director Dr. Soleil Boyd defended the tax, arguing that Washington's regressive tax system places a disproportionate burden on lower-income families. House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary and Let's Go Washington founder Brian Heywood argued against the tax. Stokesbary criticized Washington's growing state budget, saying spending increased from approximately $30 billion to nearly $80 billion per biennium during his time in the Legislature. The debate also highlighted concerns about whether the income threshold could eventually be lowered from $1 million to $250,000. That change has not been enacted. Washington voters will decide Initiative 645 on November 3. A YES vote would repeal the new income tax, while a NO vote would preserve it. Follow The Center Square for Washington income tax coverage, I-645 election news, state budget analysis and taxpayer accountability reporting. Get Washington news by text: TCSWA to 206-944-3016. #WashingtonIncomeTax #Initiative645 #I645 #MillionairesTax #WashingtonTaxes #TaxReform #WashingtonBudget #DrewStokesbary #MankaDhingra #BrianHeywood #WashingtonElection #WashingtonPolitics #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus Copy hashtags