Washington state’s tax system has long been heaped with insults. Lately, it’s been called a jalopy, a Ford Pinto and the worst in the country. http://www.kplu.org/post/wash-voters-once-passed-income-tax-wider-margin-vote-legal-booze

In 1915, there were 20 tax exemptions on Washington's books. By 1935, there were nearly 80. Now, there are more than 600, roughly 450 of which would generate some revenue for the state if repealed, according to state revenue officials. (See a visual breakdown of these exemptions here.)     http://www.kplu.org/post/do-wash-state-tax-breaks-level-playing-field-or-reward-powerful

By Laurie Jinkins Our tax system hurts middle-class and low-income families while the wealthiest reap record gains on Wall Street. “THE U.S. economy has recovered,” the news media tell us.The signs are everywhere: The stock market is up, business is booming, unemployment is down and corporate profits are through the roof. But if you look beneath the shiny exterior you see a different story. Families are working harder and harder but not seeing

Nothing is more certain than death and taxes — and, seemingly, the December battle over the sales tax deduction. Again this year, Congress is going through the ritual of “deciding” whether to extend the deduction, which people in Washington and six other states rely on. The House on Wednesday approved a retroactive extension good for only 2014. Next year, it will be another fight. Read more here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/12/04/3523421_more-political-games-in-congress.html?sp=/99http://www.thenewstribune.com/2014/12/04/3523421_more-political-games-in-congress.html?sp=/99/447/465/&rh=1/447/465/&rh=1#storylink=cpy

OLYMPIA — A task force appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee wants to revive two unpopular taxes to help finance the state's park system and promote its outdoor recreation industry. The panel wants to bring back the sales tax on bottled water and the excise tax on motor homes and travel trailers to generate money to keep parks open. Some dollars also would fund new initiatives in the Department of Commerce to put outdoor recreation on equal footing with

How fair is the tax system in Washington? #A study by Wallethub, an arm of the personal finance company Evolution Finance, ranks our system dead last among the 50 states for fairness in the local and state tax system. #Wallethub’s study, which you can read here, compares the actual way people are taxed to how Americans in general feel is fair. The study’s methodology included a nationwide survey. http://union-bulletin.com/news/2014/sep/22/study-washington-last-nation-tax-fairness/

Washington needs a revenue source or sources that are steady and capable of paying for the basics. I have a suggestion. It probably won’t surprise you, and I know many of you aren’t going to like it, but it would be better for us than a dose of cod-liver oil. This state should add a progressive income tax to its revenue mix. We never seem to get a handle on state funding. Our problems are intense when the economy is down, and the rest of the

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