Tangentially, local reporting is important and needs to be funded.
If I can't bring myself to give money to the Seattle Times Editorial board, where should I send my very modest contribution?
@2 An unfair funding stream is exactly an unfair funding stream, but it does not necessarily follow that legislation's net effect is necessarily unfair. You can do better than that.
@3 The program is a Nice To Have. It's not a necessity. I'm fine with Nice To Haves as long as they're paid for with a Fair Funding Stream. This is not a Fair Funding Stream, and Rich knows it. The working poor often work too many jobs to even utilize such Nice To Haves, but they'll be bearing the brunt of the costs. This Nice To Have will benefit the wealthy, whose children will get to utilize free services while they're not paying their fair share.
We really need to get a groundswell on implementing a proper income tax in this state, ..and dropping the sales tax to 0% (except on purchases over $50,000). Oh, and something like 0% income tax if you are at or below the official "poverty line". And probably even somewhat above that line too.
Without major changes to Washington laws, all government services and infrastructure can only be paid for by:
1) Sales tax
2) Property tax
3) Use tax on a specific item (e.g. cigarettes, coffee, or carbon)
4) Car tabs and other registration fees
5) Business and occupation taxes
5) Levies, which are paid back using the sources above
There really isn't a good, non-regressive answer to how to fund good government programs.
Can't tax income in WA state, tax short and long term capital gains instead. That is where the real money is anyway and it not regressive, one needs to have assets that are worth something in order to have capital gains.
If I can't bring myself to give money to the Seattle Times Editorial board, where should I send my very modest contribution?
@2 An unfair funding stream is exactly an unfair funding stream, but it does not necessarily follow that legislation's net effect is necessarily unfair. You can do better than that.
Such things never would happen in the stranger?
Without major changes to Washington laws, all government services and infrastructure can only be paid for by:
1) Sales tax
2) Property tax
3) Use tax on a specific item (e.g. cigarettes, coffee, or carbon)
4) Car tabs and other registration fees
5) Business and occupation taxes
5) Levies, which are paid back using the sources above
There really isn't a good, non-regressive answer to how to fund good government programs.