Income tax not so ‘dubious’

Contrary to your editorial (April 11), Sen. Lisa Brown’s proposal to tax incomes above $250,000 ($500,000 for a married couple) at a flat 1 percent is not a “dubious idea.” A study of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy indicates that as of 2003, fewer than 5 percent of Washington taxpayers had income above $250,000. The study indicated that the top 1 percent of Washington taxpayers paid, on average, 3.3 percent of their income in state and local taxes vs. 7.3 percent paid by the top 1 percent nationwide. The next highest 4 percent of Washington taxpayers paid an average of 5.6 percent of their income vs. 8.1 percent for this group nationwide.

Sen. Brown’s proposal would raise these percentages by less than 1 percentage point, given the large exemptions allowed. The federal government would subsidize about a third of this because of the deduction of state income tax in determining federal income tax. Surely, the “pain” of the affected group pales in comparison to the damage to our system of K-12 and higher education if additional revenues are not raised. Sen. Brown has shown rare courage in daring to bring up an income tax. She deserves praise, not brickbats.

Donald D. Lamp

Co-chairman, Tax Equity Team, Spokane Alliance

Spokane