State tax ideas pop up
Gov. Chris Gregoire made clear last week that she wants new state revenues to avert some of the $2 billion in cuts needed to put the state’s finances back in balance.
She said she does not have specific new tax or fee ideas to champion. But she won’t have to look far for ideas in the special legislative session that starts Nov. 28. Plenty of advocates are lining up with tax and revenue ideas – some new, some worn.
Two oldies from the electoral recycle bin are a temporary one-penny increase in the state’s 6.5-cent sales tax – which could raise $1 billion a year – and an expansion of tribal style electronic slot machines to taverns and bars. The latter might raise more than $100 million.