Letter: Some proposals for state tax reform

“State tax reform proposal warrants consideration.” Yes it does. But not in the manner set forth in the op-ed attributed to The Daily Herald in Everett (TCH, Dec. 20).

I agree that a 60 percent majority of the Legislature should be the basis for implementing any tax increases. As for implementing a state income tax, remember the early 1900s. A federal income tax was implemented to tax “the rich.” How did that work out? A convoluted tax code that nobody can really understand and according to the progressives, the rich aren’t paying their fair share. A state income tax would be subject to the whims of future legislatures.

I do not agree to lowering the state sales tax rate. Instead, raise the sales tax rate by 1 percent and stipulate that the increased revenues be applied to education as mandated by the Washington Supreme Court.

The features of the “Fair Tax” bill (HR25), languishing in the U.S. House of Representatives, should be implemented. It exempts food and medicines from being taxed, among other features. Property taxes should be frozen at current levels until the property is sold. The change should be similar to California’s Proposition 13, which greatly helped seniors.

This story was originally published January 3, 2016 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Letter: Some proposals for state tax reform."