Tax Reform Publications 2003 and prior

2003 and prior tax reform Publications

High Tech R&D Tax Breaks

12.01.2003 | Reviews the cost of tax incentive measures passed in 1994 for high technology firms in Washington State. Fact Sheet »

It's Not Just the Recession: The Budget Crisis and Washington State's Structural Deficit

07.01.2003 | The national economic downturn is a major factor in large deficits in the Washington state budget. However, the state's revenue problems will remain even when the economy is flourishing again, because our tax system is so out of step with the 21st century economy. Without restructuring the tax system, Washington residents will face the choice of either continually raising tax rates or having insufficient public revenues to fund the level and quality of public services they want and a healthy economy needs. Full Report »

Tax Incentives: Review or Remove

03.01.2003 | Seven tax preference programs are scheduled to expire in the 2003-05 biennium. Extending these tax preferences will cost the state an estimated $94.6 million and local governments $23.8 million in lost tax revenue for the 2003-05 biennium. This amount would increase to $317 million in the 2005-07 biennium. Is it worth it? Are the incentives achieving the goal of improving the local economy by creating jobs? Full Report »

Washington's Estate Tax and the 2003 Legislature

02.10.2003 | Washington state has the most regressive tax structure in the country, with low and middle income residents paying a much higher percentage of their income in state and local taxes than wealthy residents. The estate tax is one of the few progressive taxes we have. Fact Sheet »

The Washington State Tax Structure Study 2002

11.30.2002 | The Washington State Legislature passed legislation in 2001 requiring an examination of Washington's current tax system and development of tax alternatives (including the elasticity, equity, and adequacy of the state’s tax system) and development of multiple alternatives. Committee findings and the alternatives developed were reported to the Legislature in November 2002. More »

The Washington State Budget and the Washington Economy

10.01.2002 | With unemployment continuing high and large projected state budget shortfalls, lawmakers in Olympia are facing tough decisions among competing needs and interests. Here's some basic principles that can help guide those decisions in stimulating our state economy. Full Report »

Washington's Estate Tax

09.01.2002 | Opponents of Washington's estate tax are pressing legislators to pursue a phase-out of the state estate tax. Opponents claim that estate taxes devastate family farms and small businesses. However, very few family farms or small businesses are impacted by estate taxes. Full Report »

An Income Tax for Washington State?

09.01.2002 | Seven states, including Washington, do not levy an income tax. Instead, the state relies on three highly regressive taxes, the property tax, business and occupation tax and sales tax. Are there other options? What are the issues? Full Report »

Intangible Wealth Tax

09.01.2002 | Washington state's heavy reliance on sales tax and real property tax to fund essential state services made sense 70 years ago, but many people believe that it is time to modernize our tax structure to reflect the new realities of today's economy. Full Report »

Extending the Retail Sales Tax to Services in Washington State

09.01.2002 | Expanding retail sales taxes to include business services is highly controversial even though substantial revenue can be raised. What are the revenue impacts and the issues involved in eliminating exemptions to the retail sales tax? Full Report »

A Concise History of Washington's Tax Structure

08.01.2002 | Since 1935, the retail sales tax, business and occupation tax, and property tax have been the major sources of Washington state revenues. Our tax system has evolved to the point of being rated the most reqressive tax in the country. Today's climate may be right for making major changes in Washington's tax structure. Full Report »

Initiative 791: A Proposal That Undermines the Ability of Government to Serve the People

08.01.2001 | I-791 takes a "one size fits all" approach that potentially threatens vital services in health care, public safety, and education. It would establish a fiscal limit so universal in application that it would engender chaos in its implementation and unintended negative consequences in its operation. Full Report »

Potential Impacts of Proposed Initiative 747

08.01.2001 | In cities, property taxes cover basic services. These include fire and police protection, human services, street maintenance, libraries, and parks and recreation. In counties, property tax revenues pay for regional basic services, including jails, courts, district attorneys, 911 dispatch, garbage and recycling, police, and elections. With inflation averaging 4.1% since 1960 and estimated at 2.6% from 2002 to 2007, a 1% cap on the property tax means taxing districts will be unable to maintain their current levels of service. Full Report »