March 7, 2010 in News

Senate passes tax plan

Proposal squeaks by at 25-23

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OLYMPIA — With not a vote to spare, Senate Democrats approved an $800 million tax package that includes hikes in sales and business taxes, sending it to the House for an almost certain overhaul.

After four hours of debate and parliamentary maneuvering Saturday, and two more Sunday, the Senate voted 25-23 to approve 21 separate changes to the state’s tax laws. Six Democrats, including state Sen. Chris Marr of Spokane, opposed it, as did all Republicans.

It’s part of a balanced approach to the state’s $2.8 billion budget shortfall, Democrats said.

The proposal closes loopholes, responds to court rulings and reforms some taxes, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown of Spokane said It also offers a tax rebate for low- and moderate-income familes, who may be hit hardest by the three-tenths of 1 percent increase in the sales tax, and a tax break for small service businesses to help defray the bump in the business and occupation tax.

“We have managed to balance our budget by passing this,” Brown said.

It’s a job killer, Republicans said.

State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said Democrats should have cut more, and cut sooner because the budget problems have been known since last July: “Something could have been done in a special session, or early in this session. The sacred cows are still going to graze on the Capitol lawn, and taxes are going to go up.”

Some legislators read messages from constituents in their home district, quoted the Declaration of Independence or mentioned family members who would be affected by higher taxes or cut state aid.

Some made pop culture references. State Sen. Randy Gordon, D-Bellevue, said Democrats put the tax package together with limited options, the way astronauts put together a solution to the space ship in “Apollo 13.” State Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville, said the tax increases represent an “end of an era when people had thoughts and dreams, like the lyrics of “Miss American Pie.”

The proposal now heads to the House, which has different ideas on what taxes to raise and by how much, and different amounts it wants to cut from the state’s general fund budget.

Marr said he voted no because he thinks his colleagues are out of sync with the public, not cutting enough while raising taxes too much.

“It’s clear to me we’re over-reaching,” Marr said. But the taxes may be the “high water mark” for tax proposals, and when measure that comes back from the House may have a lower total and no sales tax increase because Speaker Frank Chopp opposes that, he added.

Six comments on this story so far. Add yours!

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  Shylock13 on March 07 at 3:49 p.m.

  Thank you, Chris Marr. The voters will remember your opposition to this flagrant abuse of what the voters in Washington mandated by referendum—a super majority for tax increases, OR any such increases to be submitted to the voters. I also hope the voters remember who voted FOR this outrageous abuse of what their constituents want!

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  whip5209 on March 07 at 3:52 p.m.

  Here we go, the crooks managed to screw us. May they all go down in flames come November

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  Dazzeetrader11 on March 07 at 6:03 p.m.

  Marr new met a tax he didn’t like. He faces a tough test in November. This vote was just a way he could appear to side with the people. Nice try Chris! You’ll get beat…Dems approved his vote…don’t kid yourself. His vote was just as fake as he is. Baumgartner is the guy the people need. Go Zags!!

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  west on March 07 at 6:58 p.m.

  And poor little Spokane business’s…hope they survive these new taxes…

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  PlanB on March 07 at 7:21 p.m.

  Marr is a republican in democratic clothing so his vote is no surprise. But he loves raising fees and penalties, he is looking for anything to save his bacon in the next election because he didn’t vote for “taxes.”

  I sure have to agree with Mark Schoesler. This “crisis” is two years old, why wasn’t something done sooner? (Answer: They were drunked up on federal stimulus dollars and figured it would last forever.)

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  Albert on March 07 at 8:52 p.m.

  West you have a very clear hand on reality. I agree with you and also fear as to who will survive. Our business folks have a very difficult time with the Spokane “add on” sales tax that is currently tipping the scales at 10%. If’n this sales tax goes through then 10% will become reality. This is NOT a good thing for anyone. If the Olympic Fat’s could ever decide to cut back on government, entitlements (?), bloated expenses, and worthless programs, then we could meet the current deficits without and difficulty. Ole Christine and her comfort style is a prime example, not to mention the disastrous Senator Brown.