WA Lege Day 50: House Dems propose taxes on candy, gum, bottled water, lawyers and facelifts

OLYMPIA — House Democrats will get a chance to help the state’s budget woes by putting a sales tax on bottled water, candy and gum and cosmetic surgery. Upping the business taxes on lawyers, accountants and marketing consultants. Repealing or reducing an array of tax exemptions or “loopholes.” And upping the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.

House Finance Committed Chairman Ross Hunter, D-Bellevue, released the long-awaited House tax package that raises $857 million in taxes, part of a combination of cuts, taxes and federal money that would fill the projected $2.8 billion hole in the state’s budget through June 2011.

The tax increases are a “menu” of changes, similar to Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposal, rather than the three-tenths of 1 percent increase in the sales tax proposed by Senate Democrats. A list of the House proposals can be found here.

Hunter said he believes he can get to 50 votes — the bare minimum needed for a majority in the House — easier with his package than Senate Democrats can get to their needed 25 votes with their plan.