Funding Public Services through Progressive Tax Reform

Amply-funded public services benefit all Washingtonians. However, our state is hobbled by a tax system that overwhelmingly favors the wealthy and punishes the poor. As a result, public funding for the common good continually falls short of what is necessary to improve lives and promote long-term, widespread economic growth. EOI advocates for a progressive tax structure and cessation of corporate tax breaks in order to fully fund the public services and programs that benefit all of our communities and protect the economically vulnerable. We are working with community partners at the state and city levels to explore and enact progressive revenue policy that will both fully fund public services and encourage comprehensive reform of Washington’s outdated and imbalanced tax system.

Blog Feed

Progressive Tax Reform

February 1, 2023

Majority of Washington Residents Support a Tax on the Ultra-Wealthy

New polling shows strong support for proposals to raise taxes on the wealthy

An Inclusive Economy

January 19, 2023

PRESS RELEASE: State Lawmakers Introduce the Washington State Wealth Tax 

Tax on multimillionaires and billionaires could fund education, housing, disability services, and direct cash assistance programs 

An Inclusive Economy

October 25, 2022

Where is the Wealth in Washington?

A wealth tax is the missing link to Washington’s tax code

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

Progressive Tax Reform
Tapping Wealth to Rebuild Washington’s Economy

A wealth tax to build stronger and healthier communities

An Inclusive Economy
Net Worth of WA’s 12 Billionaires Jumped 28 Percent in 3 Months of COVID-19

Meanwhile State and Local Government Services Face Deep Cuts

Funding Public Services
Taxing Employers for Windfall Compensation in the Pandemic

Models already exist to tax obscenely generous compensation

An Inclusive Economy
Progressive Revenues to Rebuild Washington’s Economy

Policymakers must not repeat the mistakes of the Great Recession