Washington lawmakers push 9.9% tax on $1M+ earners to fund services

Democrats in Olympia unveiled Senate Bill 6346 proposing a 9.9% tax on household incomes above $1 million to raise about $3.7 billion annually for public education, early learning, childcare, healthcare and other services. The plan would also eliminate the sales tax on grooming products, create a small-business gross-revenue threshold exemption, expand the Working Families Tax Credit and direct 5% of revenue to counties for public safety. Gov. Jay Inslee’s office notes the proposal doesn’t go far enough for Washingtonians, while Republicans call it unconstitutional and warn of potential court challenges or voter referendum.