Yet another Democrat seeking statewide office has called for a state income tax. Erin Jones, who is running to replace Randy Dorn as State Superintendent, confirmed that she believes a “more progressive tax system” is the answer to the “biggest problem facing Washington public schools,” i.e. funding.
Of course, by a “more progressive tax system,” Jones means a state income tax.
The fact that a Democrat claims a state income tax is the answer to all our budget woes is not anything new. Rather, it’s Jones’ defense of a state income tax that’s more than a little bizarre. Via MyNorthwest.com,
“Jones, who was raised in the Netherlands, has seen firsthand where higher taxes can lead. Though 40 percent of her parent’s wages go to taxes, she says it’s obvious where that money is going. Education, for example, is paid for from kindergarten through college and covers a PHD.”
Never mind the ridiculous folly of comparing the economic system of a relatively small European country with the economic system of a state within the United States, the notion that a state income tax is the answer to solving education funding is illogical.
As Shift reported, a recent study revealed that California’s overreliance on forms of state income taxes creates economic volatility. According to a “stress test” conducted by Moody’s Investor Service, California’s high dependence on income taxes makes it the “least able big state to withstand a recession.”
Alternatively, Washington and Texas (both non-income tax states) have low revenue volatility and score well in Moody’s budget stress test. Yet, Democrats like Jones continue to insist that a state income tax would somehow provide a more dependable funding source for education.
Due to the fact that Democrats are infatuated with growing the size of government, you can expect them to continue using education funding as an excuse to push a state income tax. After all, a state income tax is their party’s “guiding principle.”
