Inslee confused about his party’s state income tax stance

Jay Inslee is easily confused—his many Insleeisms provide proof of his tendency toward perplexity. Inslee’s most recent gaffe is touting a national ranking by Forbes which calls Washington State “the best state in which to make a living” earlier today.

The problem with Inslee praising the Forbes’ national ranking? Forbes cites “no income tax” as a primary reason for Washington’s number one standing. Unfortunately for Inslee, an income tax is exactly what Democrats have wanted to implement in our state for years. In fact, it’s even in the Washington State Democrats’ party platform.

Under the header “Economic Justice and Development,” state Democrats call for the “establishment of a state income tax that is simple in execution and progressive in nature.” Of course, that’s right after a call for the “removal of the cap on income subject to Social Security tax.” Can’t you just feel the economic justice of it all?

According to the Washington Policy Center, Inslee isn’t alone in his failure to recognize the damage his own party’s stance on a state income tax would inflict on Washington State’s economic prospects. The WPC,

“State leaders have noted the economic benefit of having no state income before.  Last year, House Democrats delighted in a ranking by Entreprenuer.com listing Seattle as the #2 start-up city in the country.  One of the measures Entrepreneur.com used in rating a favorable start up environment was Washington lack of a state income tax.”

Democrats might praise Washington State’s positive economic rankings due a lack of a state income tax, but that doesn’t prevent them from championing—nonsensical as it is—a state income tax. During the 2014 legislative session, state Rep. Marko Liias (D-Mukilteo) gained a total of 16 Democrat co-sponsors for his state income tax bill (HB 1545).

As for listening to voters? Not in the Democrat play-book. Democrat legislators continue to turn a deaf ear to voters’ message on I-1098—the 2010 state-wide initiative that would have implemented a state income tax. Voters defeated I-1098 in a 64-36 vote.