King County council member skeptical about new arts tax plan

By Essex Porter

A half-billion dollars for the arts and sciences – that’s what King County Executive Dow Constantine asked voters to approve in his State of the County address on Monday.

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He gave the speech not many steps away from the Maker’s Room at the Auburn Community Center.

With electronic art hanging from the ceiling and a 3-D printer following the artist’s instructions to create a turtle, the Maker’s Room is one of the places likely to benefit if King County voters approve the proposed arts and sciences sales tax.

“I’d say the arts are a way for students to expand their creativity and problem-solving skills and also to understand different cultures in a way that almost nothing else can,” said Allison Hyde, arts coordinator for the city of Auburn.

Constantine wants to pay for the program with an increase in the county sales tax. “The program will be funded by a one-tenth of a cent sales tax – a penny for every ten dollars,” he said.

Councilmember Dave Upthegrove represents Tukwila, SeaTac and Kent. He’s often supportive of Constantine, but he’s skeptical of this new tax.

Related: Murray says sales tax is even more regressive that property tax

“This proposal using the sales tax increase of a half-billion dollars would make it even worse for low-income people in King County,” Upthegrove said.

KIRO 7 asked Constantine how he justifies increasing such a regressive tax, one that puts a greater burden on the poor than the rich.

“It is an extension really of the work we are doing with Best Starts for Kids. It is a way for us to create greater access for everyone to the great things this community has to offer,” Constantine said.

But Upthegrove says most of the money goes to the big arts institutions.

“I want to make sure that we have direct investments in all parts of the county if I’m going to support a half a billion dollar tax increase that hurts low-income folks the most,” he said.

Constantine said that the money sent to large institutions will be used to enhance programs at small organizations, such as the one in Auburn.

“Even the money that is going to institutions, around a portion of it is earmarked around use specifically for students, for community members who can’t afford access,” he said.

Auburn’s Allison Hays hopes voters approve the sales tax increase.

“It would be a phenomenal support for the arts here,” she said.