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March 8, 2010 in City
Washington Senate narrowly approves tax plan
Brown says proposal balances state budget
OLYMPIA – With not a vote to spare, Washington Senate Democrats on Sunday approved an $805 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. A bill to add an extra $1-per-pack cigarette tax, bringing the state an extra $86 million, passed on a 29-19 vote.
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, said Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, of Spokane. It also offers a tax rebate for low- and moderate-income families 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 lowered state aid.
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 spaceship in “Apollo 13.” State Sen. Randi Becker, R-Eatonville, said the tax increases represent the “end of an era when people had thoughts and dreams, like the lyrics of ‘Miss American Pie.’ ”
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 overreaching,” Marr said. But the taxes may be the “high-water mark” for tax proposals, and the 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.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
Supermajority for taxes unconstitutional, judge rules 
liarsinnews on March 08 at 7:44 a.m.
When are the voters going to wise up? There is not a lot of difference between the two parties as it is difficult at times to tell who is who with the decisions they make. Seems to me there is nothing to be gained by reelecting the fools that are career politicians. Not a heck of lot to lose by a clean sweep and elect first timers and see where it gets the taxpayers.
SugarShane on March 08 at 8:14 a.m.
First timers are still put forth by their party and have been fully indoctrinated into the political process. Its all just a big game, and taxpayers get the bill. Like Iraq/Afghanistan.
CharlesBillford on March 08 at 8:46 a.m.
Brown..dont come back to town. We got the Tar N feathers ready.
They never scrubbed the budget for the waste already existing.
I hope Christine is happy with her No Deficit.
Wait till next year. and it will be worse.
WillyPeter on March 08 at 10:21 a.m.
Lisa Brown should leave GU for Olympia’s Evergreen State College. She’d be right at home on the wet side with our state’s most liberal faculty, and administration. She did not exhibit the intelligence, and discipline, necessary to know that good times would not last forever…they never do. But she for years was one of the prime movers responsible for our legislature’s prolific and irresponsible spending of money they didn’t have.. Forget idealogy and do the right thing….like the voters finally did in Massachusets…get rid of her…unless you like more taxes.