Economic Opportunity Institute: Fairer Taxes for Washington: Taxing High Incomes to Reduce Regressive Taxes and Improve Public Services

Washington State’s seventy year-old tax structure is built on an ever-shrinking base, and taxes fall most heavily on those least able to afford them. This discussion brief outlines options for a limited tax on the highest income households, coupled with a reduction in sales or property tax. The result would be a fairer tax system that keeps pace with economic growth and provides the revenues for high-priority public investments in education and infrastructure that are necessary for shared prosperity.