Tax Reform

Budget cuts: Costly. Our Quality of life: Priceless.

Washington’s families, workers, and businesses deserve a tax system that improves our quality of life.

From roads and utilities to schools and parks, police and firefighters to safety inspectors and environmental scientists, everyone benefits from steady investment in public structures that yield well-educated citizens, profitable businesses, safe communities and a healthy environment.

But our state suffers from a structural deficit, with tax revenues over time growing at a slower pace than the economy and demands for public services. By failing to capture revenue from a changing economy, we are starving our economy of the very resources we need for long-term growth and broad economic opportunity.

Washington needs new sources of revenue to support investments in early learning, K-12 and higher education. EOI is putting forward concrete proposals for new sources of revenue to bring our education system up to modern standards, support important public investments, while making our tax system more equitable for everyone.

Recent Publications and News Highlights

Exemptions to Ax - Sins to Tax: Revenues to Rebuild Our Economic Future

UPDATED 02.05.2010 | These fact sheets summarize a budget solution that closes Washington's $2.7 billion shortfall this year -- and provides long-term budget stability in future years. By closing tax exemptions that no longer serve a compelling public purpose and carefully choosing new sources of revenue, lawmakers can stabilize funding for quality schools, affordable health care, a safety net for the most vulnerable, affordable housing, public safety, and a clean environment. This responsible approach will help balance the state budget without eroding the high quality of life that makes our state a great place to live, work, raise a family and do business.

Fact Sheet »

Creating jobs and boosting our economy

01.14.2010 | Washington State is losing an estimated 44,000 private and public sector jobs due to billions of dollars in state budget cuts in 2009 – and further cuts could axe another 33,600. By contrast, a combination of new state taxes and federal aid to fill the state’s budget gap could save up to 30,000 jobs.

Full Report »

Stalking the elusive state-tax dollar

03.12.2009 | Crosscut | They say that when God closes a door, he opens a window. Some people certainly hope that Washington’s current budget crisis, which seems to have slammed so many doors, has pried open the long-stuck window through which an income tax could slip into this state. At the very least, the budget crisis has forced key legislators to talk seriously about a tax increase.

Full Story »

Success Story

EOI’s analysis and public education efforts have supported new funding to expand the Basic Health Plan for low-income working adults, boost educational achievement, and repair our roads. We’ve helped slow down the proliferation of special interest tax breaks and raised interest in modernizing our tax system and making it fairer.

Learn More »

Policy Focus

Hate the idea of an income tax? Here's why you shouldn't.

Taxing high incomes can reduce regressive taxes, ease the structural deficit, and improve public services.

A simple and fair way to start fixing our tax structure

Expanding the sales tax to selected goods and services may be the simplest way to expand Washington’s tax base.

Returning a civic dividend on corporate profits

Taxing windfall profits will help our state get on the road to sustainable development while improving our domestic and economic security.

Special tax cuts cost everyone

Tax exemptions add up to a lot of money that could instead improve public services to help all businesses prosper.

Staff Contact

Marilyn Watkins »

Building an economy that works. For everyone.