Washington state Democrats accidentally email their ‘radical’ tax plan to entire Senate
In a surprising turn of events, Washington state Democrats accidentally leaked their extensive revenue plans and internal talking points on tax hikes to all members of the upper chamber in Olympia. The leaked documents revealed that property tax hikes and a new double-digit tax on firearms are among the proposals being considered by Washington state Democrats.
The leaked materials, originally disseminated by Washington Senate Deputy Floor Leader Noel Frame, D-Seattle, in late December, included a document titled “2025 Revenue Options” and a PowerPoint presentation outlining how lawmakers should communicate with constituents about the proposed tax hikes.
Among the proposed figures in the leaked documents are an 11% tax on ammunition and firearms, reclassifying storage unit rentals as retail transactions, and lifting the property tax levy lid for certain Washington residents. The leaked PowerPoint presentation also included guidelines on how lawmakers should discuss taxes with the public, advising them to focus on the benefits of tax hikes rather than the act of taxation itself.
One of the most controversial proposals outlined in the leaked documents is a “capital assets ownership tax,” which would extend real estate-type taxes to holdings in stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments. The document argues that this tax would ensure that extremely wealthy Washingtonians are taxed on their assets, similar to how middle-class families are taxed on theirs.
However, not everyone is on board with these proposed tax hikes. Seattle radio host Jason Rantz raised concerns about the potential negative impact of these tax schemes, pointing out that some of the proposals may be unconstitutional. Rantz also highlighted the departure of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos from Washington state, citing it as an example of how high taxes can drive away wealthy individuals and their tax contributions.
As Democratic Governor-elect Robert Ferguson prepares to take office, State Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, criticized outgoing Governor Jay Inslee’s 2025 budget proposal, calling it “not a serious proposal.” Couture argued that Washington state has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, and that the focus should be on reducing spending rather than increasing taxes.
In light of these developments, it remains to be seen how Washington state Democrats will proceed with their revenue plans in the coming months. The leaked documents have sparked debate and criticism from various quarters, highlighting the challenges and complexities of tax policy in the state.
