Candidates for State Senator, Question 3 Solution for the state budget shortfall

The Senate seat is open, due to the retirement of Senator Darlene Fairley. Below are the responses from the three 32nd District Senatorial candidates to our third question: 3. What should the legislature do about the projected budget shortfall? Would your solution include increased property, sales, car tab taxes, or possibly an income tax?

Patty Butler 

I am not in favor of raising property taxes. Our sales tax is already one of the highest in the nation. I would consider small increases in vehicle licensing fees, but only after further research on its effects. The middle class home owner is constantly being hit by increasing taxation. I believe we also need to research and implement a comprehensive income tax that does not target one specific income group.

Maralyn Chase

We need tax reform. We don’t have a budget crisis, we have a revenue crisis. We should put intangible property (stocks, bonds, patents, royalty payments, documents that represent value such as intellectual property -- property that makes money- back on the tax rolls instead of forcing homeowners to pay the entire property tax burden. The State Constitution called for uniform taxation of tangible and intangible property but homeowners’ property taxes doubled after intangible property was removed from the tax roles in 1997. We should cut B and O taxes and reduce sales taxes; car tabs were a fair tax in that wealthy buyers purchasing expensive cars paid a higher tax than low income purchasers. Finally, we should have a graduated tax on personal income which would be deducted from the federal income taxes. Cancel most tax incentives. except those that help create market demand for made in Washington products.

David Baker

The problem is runaway spending. Taxes are already too high – the legislature ought to control spending in order to promote job creation and economic growth. I don't support a state income tax, and I am opposed to any increase in property, sales, or car tab taxes. We need to restore the voter-approved limits on government spending. I know this can be done, because I’ve done it in Kenmore. As Mayor, I have a proven record of putting families, jobs, and communities first – without raising taxes. In seven years on the City Council, I’ve voted against every proposed tax increase, and I voted to reduce utility taxes by 2%.