‘Millionaire tax’ supporters rally at state capitol as GOP pushes back

The battle over the proposed “millionaire tax” continued in Olympia Tuesday with a rally on the steps of the Washington State Capitol.

Hundreds of healthcare providers and educators spoke out in support of the bill that would put a nearly 10% tax on people earning more than a million dollars a year.

“Millionaires, pay your due!” the crowd chanted. “Kids’ futures depend on you!”

“Are we gonna protect wealth, or are we gonna protect lives?” Registered nurse Jane Hopkins, SEIU 1199 President, asked. “Washington should stand for care, dignity, the community, and not for being worried about millionaires’ feelings.”

Republicans warn ‘millionaire tax’ could expand to middle class

Republican leaders in the state legislature continue to voice their opposition to the bill.

“This is a big deal,” Senate Republican Leader John Braun told reporters Tuesday. “We have a lot of work to do to stop this bill.”

Braun and his fellow Republicans believe Democrats will eventually expand the income tax to include the middle class.

“They want to get it by demonizing folks who have been successful in our state and then expanding it to everyone long term,” he said.

Supporters say millionaires should ‘pay their fair share’

Supporters of the proposal, including caregiver Melissah Watts, have said millionaires should “pay their fair share.”

“We’re not asking them to change their way of living,” Watts said at the rally. “They can still have their private jets and their mansions.”

Republican State Senator Shelly Short said the millionaire tax does not replace any taxes.

“This is an insatiable appetite for more revenue to do more spending,” Short said.

Critics warn of economic fallout

Critics of the bill argued that passage of the millionaire tax would hurt the state’s economy by prompting businesses and wealthy individuals to move elsewhere.

Republican State Representative April Connors, who is also a real estate agent, said it is already happening.

“I just got another email this week that I forwarded on to my team,” she said. “(The email said) they’re done, and they’re moving to Montana. And I’m getting this weekly.”

‘Leveling the playing field’: Bill clears first hurdle

Washington’s proposed “millionaire tax” cleared its first legislative hurdle Monday and is now headed to the Senate Rules Committee.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee advanced SB 6346, which would impose a 9.9% tax on Washington residents with more than $1 million in annual income.

Before the vote, Democratic Senator Yasmin Trudeau said the proposal is about “leveling the playing field” between the state’s wealthiest residents and people struggling to make ends meet.

“We’ve had a lot of benefit to the top, which is why we’ve attracted so many wealthy folks,” Trudeau said. “Some of which have been quite open about coming here to shield that wealth.”

Republicans fail to amend ‘millionaire tax’

Republicans on the committee opposed the bill. Republican Senator Perry Dozier argued the measure does nothing to make the state more affordable.

“Other than if you want to go to bed at night and say, ‘Hey, that millionaire, he’s going to pay more, but I don’t have money to buy food tomorrow,’” Dozier said.

GOP members also unsuccessfully introduced several amendments, including one to lock in the 9.9% tax rate and $1 million threshold, and another to remove the emergency clause that would prevent voters from weighing in.

As of Tuesday afternoon, no public hearing had been scheduled for the companion bill, HB 2724.

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.

Follow @FrankLenziKIRO