For the Reporter
While State House and Senate budget leaders negotiated behind closed doors, Washington United for Fair Revenue called its own people’s hearing Monday, featuring testimony from men and women representing each of Washington’s 49 legislative districts.
Taxpayers, small business owners, teachers, nurses, parents and others from Walla Walla to Bellingham to Vancouver delivered thousands of petitions signed by people in their districts while holding their home district signs.
The 49 For Fairness each called for the state Senate to pass a revenue package that is fair, accountable and shared.
Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, chaired the People’s Hearing in House chambers. Calling it the chair’s prerogative, Hunter directed the overflowing room of people to testify in reverse order – from the 49th District in Vancouver to the 1st in North Seattle.
“One of the key responsibilities of the Legislature is to listen to our constituents,” Hunter said. “We have to make balancing decisions between the level of revenue we collect and the services we provide to Washington citizens. This forum provides an opportunity for the Legislature to hear from the people about the intersection of these two factors.”
“Since retiring from the United States Military, I have been a home health care worker for 8 years,” said Auburn veteran Darryl Johnson, of the 30th District. “I pay my fair share in taxes and I am happy to do so, however, the wealthiest, including large corporations continue to get tax breaks that gut the states safety net which protects the vulnerable people I care for. I’m not OK with the top 2 percent of Washingtonians profiting at the expense of the people I care for.”
“I am a mother of three amazing school-age children,” said Sumner mom and activist Immaculate Fererria Allah of the 31st District. “I want a wide-open path of opportunity for them–and for all of Washington’s children. But our state’s tax system puts too many of our children in harm’s way. Our revenue system is outdated and inadequate, which means families and children have limited access to the services they need. Struggling families pay between 10 and 17 percent of their incomes in taxes, while the wealthiest few pay just 2 percent. The Legislature needs to pass the capital gains tax and ensure that Washington’s wealthiest households pay their fair share.”
