Rep. Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle) recently introduced HB 1847, a bill that would eliminate about $245 million in special interest tax breaks in order to raise the money necessary to retain the state’s Basic Health Care Program. And a new poll (PDF) conducted last week on behalf of the Elder Care Alliance, shows pretty damn strong support:
The state of Washington has a nearly $5 billion budget dollar shortfall for the next two years. The legislature is considering a proposal that would raise about $245 million dollars by eliminating tax breaks for out-of state banks, out-of-state shoppers, out-of-state coal, cosmetic surgery, and private jet airplanes. The money raised from eliminating those tax breaks would be used to retain the Basic Health Care Program.
Which of these positions comes closest to your own inclination about this proposal?
Strongly support…38
Support…24
Oppose…11
Strongly oppose…18
DK/NA…11
That’s a total of 62 percent in support of the proposal, and only 29 percent opposed. In a real election, we’d call that a landslide.
And it’s not just hippy-dippy Seattle bumping up the numbers, with the bill enjoying strong support throughout the state, the weakest region being Eastern Washington, where respondents came out in favor of the proposal 55 percent to 30 percent. In fact, the only demographic group to oppose the proposal were, of course, Republicans, but even then only just barely, with 42 percent responding in favor compared to 46 percent opposed.
Huh.
And the bill is as pragmatic as it is noncontroversial. Eliminating Basic Health would lose the state millions in federal dollars, while just costing us more in the long term as dollars shift from preventative care and early treatment to the emergency room… not to mention the cost in human suffering. Plus, we’ll just have to rebuild much of the Basic Health Program infrastructure in a few years, when federal health care reform kicks in, so where’s the sense in that?
Here’s hoping the governor and the legislature prove as sensible as the public.
Gregoire and the Democrats in our legislature standing up for something the majority of Washingtonians want? better check with Tim Eyman and make sure it’s ok with his backers first.
62%, not 61.
What’s the canned Republican response to this?
A) Higher taxes on business, thus bad.
B) Government fat cutting and belt tightening, thus good.
C) More government waste (money spent on Basic Health), thus bad.
Could go either way…
How does it cost us federal dollars? This isn’t Medicaid; it’s a state-only program.
@2,
You are correct. 61% was the support amongst Independents. Fixed it.
Got a 2/3 majority for a tax break?
Then throw it to the curb.
“the only demographic group to oppose the proposal were, of course, Republicans, but even then only just barely.”
Of course – Republicans don’t mind taxes on someone else… after all, the Red States depend on that!
We have tax breaks for private jets? All of the others don’t bother me as much as tax breaks for private jets.
I’m sure the question was worded something like. “don’t you agree that evil banks should have no tax breaks in order to pay for those noble souls who need basic health”, with a follow up statement “because the cost in human suffering is morally wrong?”
The lefties just don’t get it. The majority (not just the majority of leftists in Seattle) want state gov’t to tighten its belt. These ruses by legislators are just another way to prey upon the public’s ignorance of what the SEIU and the state employees unions really want is higher taxes, more spending and no accountability. Neither of these bloated groups cares about improving K-12 or higher ed or even about better health–it is about taking more money and power for themselves. Too bad ignorant leftists in Seattle don’t get that.
@8 why do you think they’re building a Billionaires’ Tunnel for their limos to get from SLU to Boeing Field?
Got to use those private jets somehow …
Can’t ride along with the unwashed masses – no, need a $10 round trip toll so only the rich can afford it.
Then you can ask the next limo if they have any Grey Poupon or endives, while sipping your martini.
Yes, let Oregon/Montana/Alaska shoppers pay our sales tax when they’re here. That exemption is ridiculous to me.
Exactly, @11. And don’t forget BC.
Those Canucks have a growing GDP and budget surplus, after all.
I sure hope you aren’t holding your breath in anticipation, Goldy.
Max Solomon pegged it @1 — what does Governor Eyman think?
deadhead @9,
Well, one might cynically ponder the wording of the question… if I hadn’t provided the actual wording in my post. Do you even bother reading posts before commenting?