HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-20 RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Port Angeles,
Washington,in support of progressive revenue policies for the State
of Washington.
WHEREAS the Cityf Port Angeles believes in o g equal economic opportunity for all; and
WHEREAS, Washington State relies on the sales tax, the Business & Occupation Tax
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and property taxes to fund state government; and
WHEREAS, sales taxes are regressive—meaning that the middle class and the poor pay
a higher proportion of their income in sales tax than do the well-to-do; and
WHEREAS, the Business & Occupation tax is also regressive, because it taxes revenue,
not profit; and
WHEREAS, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy says that Washington State
has the most regressive tax system in the nation: the poorest 20%of non-elderly Washingtonians
pay 17% of their income in state taxes, while the richest 1% pay under 3% of their income in
state taxes; and
WHEREAS, in recent years the State's regressive tax system has forced reductions in
funding for basic education, higher education, social service programs, transportation,
infrastructure,parks and recreation, security and emergency services,health care, social welfare,
oversight and regulation, courts and the justice system,environmental protection,and other basic
services that people need and expect from government;
I
WHEREAS, the reduction in the ability of state government to adequately fund basic
services is threatening the opportunities,wellbeing,prosperity and safety of all Washingtonians;
and
WHEREAS, the last time the governor and the legislature undertook a thorough
investigation of the tax system was in 2002, with the Gates Commission hearings; and
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WHEREAS, a tax study commission that holds hearings around the State and makes
recommendations to the Governor and Legislature would raise awareness of these issues and
increase the likelihood of action being taken to fix our unfair tax system; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Port Angeles endorses the Tax
Structure Work Group's efforts toward a progressive tax system, endorses the creation of a new
tax study commission and asks Governor Inslee and the legislators to address the issue of fair
taxation in speeches, in newsletters, and via legislation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the City urges the Tax Structure Work Group, and
the new tax study commission to investigate, develop, and recommend for adoption a state level
progressive revenue system to replace the State's current tax code.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that these policy changes are urgent and have real
consequences for our community.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Port Angeles at a regular meeting of said
Council held on the 21 st day of July 2020.
Kate Dexter, Mayor
ATTEST: AP ZOED AS TO FO
Kari Martinez-Bailey, er -W iarn E. Bloor, City Attorney
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