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Featured Publications
Initiative 1098: How will a 20% reduction in the state property tax affect residential and commercial property owners?
06.17.2010
| Initiative 1098 includes a 20% across‐the‐board cut in the state
portion of the property tax levy, which will reduce property taxes
for both businesses and individuals that own property. How much
will the average home or business owner see in savings?
Initiative 1098: Will business owners pay state income tax?
06.17.2010
| Under the provisions of I‐1098, a business owner claiming business
income on their personal tax return would only be taxed if his/her
total income exceeds $200,000 for single filers or $400,000 for
joint filers – and then only on the amount exceeding that income
threshold. Just how many filers who claimed business income would
have paid income tax under I-1098 in previous years?
Initiative 1098: What is Considered a 'Small Business'?
06.03.2010
| If passed, Initiative 1098 would eliminate the business and occupation
(B&0) tax for all small businesses -- but what is considered a small
business? This fact sheet answers those questions and more, from
exact tax rates and exemption levels to examples of which businesses
would be exempt.
Initiative 1098: Fixing the most regressive tax system in the country
06.03.2010
| A recent study has concluded that Washington State has the most
regressive tax system in the country, taxing the lowest 20% of earners
over 17% of their income, while the wealthiest 1% pay just over
2%. This fact sheet explains how this is possible, and details the
data economists use to determine tax rates.
Initiative 1098: The Right Fix for Washington's Flawed Tax Structure
05.24.2010
| Full brief on the research and policy behind Initiative 1098.
Key findings: I-1098 will reduce taxes for the majority of Washingtonians
and raise new revenue dedicated to public education and health through
an income tax on the wealthiest 3% of households, who currently
pay the lowest percentage of their income in state and local taxes.
I-1098: The Right Tax Reform for Stronger Schools and Health Care
05.11.2010
| A one page fact sheet that concisely explains the case for I-1098's
tax reforms and key elements of the proposal, including voter accountability
measureas and the mechanics of dedicating new revenue to public
education and health care.
Where Do the Wealthy Live? High Incomes and State Income Tax Rates
04.21.2010
| Fear of "wealth flight" is often cited as an argument against
a tax on high incomes, but there is no correlation between a state’s
income tax rate and the percentage of wealthy households living
there. Since 43 out of 50 states have a state income tax, most Americans
accept it as the norm.
Recent News and Opinion from EOI
Efficiency isn't best way to evaluate government
07.21.2010 | John Burbank | As the recession continues bumping along, the governor has responded with a call for "transforming Washington's budget." As this "transforming" process heats up, we'll no doubt hear a lot about making government more "efficient," like the private sector. And that should raise a big red flag, because an economist would tell you that efficiency isn't really what you want to measure when it comes to governing well. How's that, you say? We want government to be inefficient? Well, not exactly.
Full Column | Everett Herald »
Doing right by our kids is patriotic
07.07.2010 | John Burbank | Who is a patriot? A fair question to ask during the week of our nation’s birthday. What happens if you wear a flag pin on your lapel, and you work to undermine the paramount constitutional duty of our state? How’s that for patriotism?
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