Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

State treasurer proposes income tax to fund education

Associated Press

OLYMPIA – Washington state Treasurer Jim McIntire is proposing an income tax to pay for education.

The Seattle Times reported that McIntire made the proposal at a news conference on Monday, saying he hoped it would be a conversation starter.

His proposal is one of a handful of ideas floating around Olympia about how to meet the Supreme Court’s order to fix the way the state pays for public schools.

Some of the other proposals related to the McCleary decision included a suggested capital gains tax and a statewide property tax to replace local levies.

McIntire’s plan calls for a 5 percent personal income tax but would eliminate the state property tax and reduce business taxes. The plan would raise billions of dollars.