This week, KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson interviewed Jay Inslee and asked him whether or not he supports Washington Democrats’ call for a state income tax via their party platform.
Our green governor responded, “No, I do not and I’m not proposing or accepting a state income tax. I don’t think it’s right for the State of Washington.”
History has taught us that Inslee lies about taxes in election years. When he was running for governor the last time around, Inslee promised no new taxes. He subsequently broke that promised — time and time again — by proposing new taxes, including a form of a state income tax.
As if repeating the past, Inslee’s latest pledge not to “propose or accept a state income tax” is not truthful because — in fact — he has already proposed a state income tax. Prior to the 2015 legislative session, Inslee pushed a state capital gains income tax. Democrats in the state Legislature picked up his proposal and ran with it.
Inslee and his fellow Democrats advertised their state capital gains income tax as an excise tax, not an income tax. The problem with their reasoning is that, well, they didn’t have the truth on their side.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) classifies a capital gains income tax as a tax on income. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that capital gains are taxable as income.
Additionally, states with income taxes also classify capital gains as a form of income. Oregon categorizes its capital gains income tax under “personal income tax.” Idaho classifies it as an “individual income tax.” And, New Jersey lists it as an income tax stating, “If you are a New Jersey resident, all of your capital gains, except gains from the sale of exempt obligations, are subject to this State’s income tax.”
Of course, Inslee and his fellow Democrats needed to classify the state capital gains income tax as an excise tax in order to claim the tax is legal — and so they could mislead the public by claiming they do not support a state income tax while running for re-election.
Why oh why do democrat politicians lie so much? I guess they can’t help it… it’s in their nature to lie, and cheat, and steal.
It’s okay. They are held to that standard by their constituents. Birds of the same feathers flock together, also this is true for republicans
It doesn’t matter if he lies or not. When a bill comes across the politicians’ desk and it’s beneficial for their self serve and elite bosses, then it is okay to sign it law.
People in WA will not say much about it because they trust their government. Besides, they self inflict taxation to run buses and trains every year with no real solution.
Don’t steal. State of Washington’s Governor hates competition.