Cato Institute released its “Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors” today. Jay Inslee is one of only eight governors in the country to earn an “F” grade based on job performance since 2012. According to Cato, Inslee’s “F” grade “stems from his poor record on taxes.” Specifically, Cato points to Inslee’s broken campaign promises.
After promising not to raise taxes while on the campaign trail, Inslee “proposed over $1 billion in new taxes over the budget biennium” just a few months after he took office. Although the tax increases have not been passed, Inslee’s tax proposals would extend “a temporary increase in the business and occupation tax, increased beer taxes, and broadening the sales tax base.”
Inslee’s plan to fund his multibillion-dollar transportation package with tax increases—including a hike in gas taxes—solidified his “F” grade.
