Olympia, WA – May 5, 2021 – What have we learned from the end of the Legislative Session? First, that it is more important for the Democrat majority to push forth an agenda that will hurt the residents of the State.
An 1,100 page budget that was passed increases Washington State spending by 13% during a time when many families and businesses lost income. The majority who voted the budget into existence had less than 30 hours to review the pages before voting yes to these increases. Including taking $1.8 billion out of the rainy day fund and depositing it into the state’s general fund. In effect, they want to empty the rainy day fund. It will eventually fill up again – as 1% of the states general funds are put into the fund per fiscal year. Meanwhile, until that happens, there will be no ‘rainy day’ funds available.
However, the current Democrat majority wants to create a “new” fund – Washington Rescue Plan Transition Account – an unrestricted savings account. (Rainy Day funds require a “favorable vote of the majority of Legislature.”)
Raising Taxes – The Democrat Majority’s Solution During an Economic Crisis
In addition, the adoption of SB 5096 – which is a 7% excise tax (income on capital gains AKA a state income tax) takes effect Jan 1, 2022. This controversial bill is an attempt to circumvent the input of the citizens of the State. As a matter of fact, they included a clause which prevents residents from voting on the issue via referendum. “The bill specifies the tax is necessary for the support of state government and its existing institutions.”
A State Income Tax has been voted down 10 times by Washington residents. It has gone to the Washington Supreme Court several times – where it has been ruled ‘unconstitutional’. The Washington State Constitution also views it this way.
They also passed SB 5126 – a CO2 “cap and trade” tax. (Cap and trade is a common term for a government regulatory program designed to limit, or cap, the total level of emissions of certain chemicals, particularly carbon dioxide, as a result of industrial activity.) This tax will increase gas prices by another .28 cents and add more than 30 cents per gallon by 2023. NONE of the funds will be used for roads or infrastructure. The good news? It is contingent on the passage of a statewide transportation package. (Which if the majority in the legislature has its way, will include a new pay-per-mile tax as well) .
Lawmakers were thinking of the hike in prices when they passed HB1287 – which bans the sale of gas powered vehicles by 2030 – five years earlier than the gas powered bans passed by California and Massachusetts. It is the first ban passed by legislatures rather than via executive order. This ban includes vehicles bought in other States and brought into Washington.
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