Because We Need More Than a Rising Tide
  • An Inclusive Economy
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Progressive Tax Reform

The Washington State tax system hasn’t been updated since the 1930s, and a 2018 EOI report found Washington State’s tax system to be one of the most regressive in the country. When the wealthy pay such a uniquely low tax rate, the state budget suffers as a whole and funding falls short for necessary public programs.

EOI, the Transit Riders Union, and the Trump-Proof Seattle coalition led voters to approve city-wide income tax on individual incomes in excess of $250,000, and EOI is now leading in the legal proceedings to overturn an outdated ruling currently preventing the tax. Seattle’s passage of a progressive income tax will serve as an example to Washington State, and will encourage reform of an outdated and imbalanced tax system.

April 5, 2018

Your Property Tax Hikes Are Charity for an Important Protected Minority – The Very Wealthy

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April 4, 2018

Who Really Pays

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November 24, 2017

Seattle’s Income Tax on the Affluent: Why We Will Prevail

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FEATURED PROFILE

Tax my income and fix my city. Please.

I’m an engineer at one of our local tech companies, and I’m fortunate enough to qualify for the proposed income tax on Seattle’s affluent. Unlike Steve Ballmer, who made headlines commenting on the proposal, I look forward to paying my fair share to keep Seattle wonderful.

My grandfather first came to Seattle to escape Russian pogroms and build a better life in the New World. Even though my family had little, the opportunity in America allowed my grandfather to send my dad to a good public school, and my dad in turn went on to teach at Harvard Medical School. I’d like to think my grandfather would have the same good fortune if he arrived today.

But the opportunity afforded my grandfather is no longer attainable. We call Seattle a sanctuary city, but the services that we and our immigrants depend on are underfunded and under threat. Our public schools are criminally underfunded. Rent is skyrocketing, pushing middle-class and poor families out of their homes. Tents line our bumper-to-bumper highways.

Read more…

Research Feed

An Inclusive Economy
The State Estate Tax: A Leveler for Democracy

Only the very rich pay it, but they pay much less than they used to

An Inclusive Economy
Voter’s Guide to the Washington State Budget

Getting to the public investment our state needs to thrive

An Inclusive Economy
Who Really Pays

An analysis of the tax structures in 15 cities throughout Washington State

Blog Feed

Progressive Tax Reform

April 7, 2020

We Can’t Cut Our Way Back to Prosperity

Washington’s regressive tax system has failed us. Again.

Progressive Tax Reform

April 6, 2020

State Supreme Court Declines to Review Seattle Income Tax

Seattle can create an income tax, but it can't be progressive

Progressive Tax Reform

March 9, 2020

State Government Must Do More to Protect Our Economy from the Virus

How to stop the coronavirus from disrupting our services and destroying small businesses