WA Income Tax Repeal Could Leave Other Tax Breaks Intact + Ferguson Asks Trump for FEMA Aid

Washington voters will soon decide whether to repeal the state's newly enacted 9.9% income tax, and a new analysis examines what Initiative 645 would actually do to the rest of Washington's tax package.

The Washington Research Council has released a policy brief examining I-645 and the state's new income tax established under Senate Bill 6346.

If voters approve Initiative 645, the income-tax provisions would be repealed while several other tax-relief provisions included in SB 6346 would remain in law.

Those provisions include an expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit and other sales-tax and business-tax relief included in the legislation.

Washington Research Council Senior Research Analyst Emily Makings says the income tax itself does not solve Washington's underlying state budget problems. The Research Council argues lawmakers have increased spending beyond expected ongoing revenues and will still have significant budget work ahead regardless of whether the income tax remains in place.

The Research Council also points to uncertainty surrounding the income tax, including potential constitutional challenges and the volatility of relying on income from a relatively small group of high-income taxpayers.

Washington voters will decide the fate of Initiative 645 in the November 3 election.

Also in today's Washington in Focus, a North Carolina detransitioner is asking an appeals court to allow her lawsuit against medical providers to move forward.

The woman says she began testosterone at age 17 and underwent a double mastectomy at 18. She is challenging the earlier dismissal of her lawsuit and argues that changes enacted by North Carolina lawmakers should allow her claims to proceed despite the time limits that previously barred the case. Her allegations against the medical providers remain the subject of ongoing litigation.

And Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is asking President Donald Trump to approve a federal Major Disaster Declaration following devastating wildfires across Eastern Washington.

A state and federal preliminary damage assessment found that the fires destroyed 649 primary residences, damaged another 2,542 homes and burned nearly 369,000 acres.

Washington is seeking federal Individual Assistance for residents in Benton, Okanogan, Spokane and Stevens counties and the Spokane Tribe of Indians. The state estimates the request could unlock approximately $11.2 million in assistance for individuals and another $117.7 million for debris cleanup and emergency costs.

Today's Washington in Focus examines Initiative 645 and Washington's income-tax repeal, the state's continuing budget challenges, the North Carolina detransitioner lawsuit and Washington's request for federal wildfire disaster assistance.

Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Washington's income tax, I-645, SB 6346, Washington taxes and spending, Washington wildfires, FEMA disaster assistance, Gov. Bob Ferguson, state government and public policy.

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