It’s no secret that John Burbank, executive director of the labor-funded Economic Opportunity Institute and state income tax enthusiast, is aiming to replace Democrat State Representative Reuven Carlyle (who is planning a state Senate run) by appointment. As Shift has pointed out, Burbank failed to convince voters to support him before, when he lost to Carlyle. His failure might explain why Burbank has been out ceaselessly championing a state income tax, the state Democrat party’s “guiding principle” and what appears to be the litmus test for candidate of Seattle’s 36th legislative district.
Burbank is using the state Supreme Court’s $100,000 McCleary-driven daily fine as an excuse to—once again—champion a state income tax. He claims (incorrectly) that the state needs an additional $3.5 billion to fully fund K-12 education, and the source of that revenue should be a state income tax. During a recent appearance on KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson, Burbank outlined his plan. Via MyNorthwest.com,
“With the right income tax, not only could the state lower its sales taxes by 1.5 cents, it could also lower tuition for higher education while providing more for childhood and public education, according to Burbank. To accomplish that he suggests placing tax rates of 2 percent for a $100,000 household; 3.5 percent for $200,000 household; 5 percent for a $500,000 household; 6.25 percent for those making $1 million; and 8.125 for $2 million. The first $50,000 of household income would be exempt. This system would raise $7.5 billion, which could be dispersed through Washington’s education system as needed — there would even be enough left over to put toward other public services and reserve.”
Monson challenged Burbank’s reasoning, informing him that a “couple each making $70,000 a year would have to give $1,800 to the state” and asking him if he believed “state lawmakers would spend that money better than the couple.” Via MyNorthwest.com,
“The state already has enough taxpayer money it is throwing away on projects that are either behind schedule, over budget, or both, Dori said. And it has nothing to do with not having enough money, but it has everything to do with an overabundance of inefficiencies within government.
“‘You really think the state deserves even $5 billion more of our money?’ Dori asked.”
Burbank avoided answering the question, claiming the state would use the money to fund the proverbial puppies and rainbows for all. Of course, as Shift has pointed out again and again, the reality is that revenue brought in by the state income tax in question will not ncessarily be used for all the things that liberals promise. The track record of Democrats in our state over the past thirty years is all the evidence needed.
Though Washington voters have said “no” to an income tax many times before, it is clear that the Left is organizing around the idea of a state income tax on “high earners” (which, based on Democrats’ track record, will quickly become an income tax on everyone). And, liberals are using education funding as the means to accomplish their objective.
You can check out Monson’s interview with Burbank here.
Now that Seattle has $15 an hour minimum wage, use all that extra income in taxes to fund Socialist agenda’s. No more taxes, the minute you agreed to pay METRO bus drivers $100K+ you lost me with ANY and ALL tax increases!
In regard to education, the lottery was pushed on us with the premise that would only be used for educational use. The lottery profit was almost emmediaty directed to the general budget and pledged to be used as pork.
Now the promise is an income tax percentage that lowers the sales tax by 1.5 cents. Do you really think we are that stupid? 1.5 today, 5 cents back tomorrow. The idea of a sales tax AND an income tax is totally ridiculous.
No THANKS MR. BURBANK.
JR