SPOKANE – Spokane County commissioners have joined the no income tax bandwagon.
During their meeting Tuesday, Dec. 14, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution opposing any local income tax.
Spokane County joined Franklin and Yakima Counties and a host of cities opposing a local income tax.
“Such a tax would be in direct conflict with the high value Spokane County places on promoting economic development through the attraction and expansion of financially healthy, family wage paying employers,” the resolution says. “Small businesses are the backbone of our local, regional, state, and national economy and it is imperative that Spokane County not put unnecessary hurdles in the way of their success.”
The growing opposition comes on the continued efforts by Western Washington Democrats and Democrat-controlled cities to implement a tax workers’ wages.
The state Constitution prohibits income taxes in Washington,
But that hasn’t stopped some governmental agencies from looking for ways around the state’s foundational document.
The Seattle City Council passed a graduated income tax in 2017, but the measure was struck down in a state appellate court in 2019 and the state Supreme Court declined to hear the measure.
The lower court ruling, however, did allow for a flat-tax on income. That issue has not been addressed by the state’s highest court.
The resolution, however, makes clear that that commissioners oppose any local income tax, even if a variation eventually becomes law and is allowed by the state Supreme Court.
“Small businesses and families have been hit hard enough by the pandemic,” Spokane County Commission Chairman Josh Kerns said. “The last thing they need now is the government to come in and take away even more of their hard-earned money.”
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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