Why it's so hard to stop tax increases in Washington state
Posted by Amber Gunn - January 11, 2010Rebuilding our Economic Future Coalition is an emerging broad-based, statewide coalition of organizations and individuals committed to securing the state's economic future by advocating for passage of a humane and sensible budget for 2010...The coalition supports a full dialogue toward a fair and humane budget that includes not just targeted cuts and reforms to make government more efficient, but a full discussion of potential revenue options as well.
- AARP Washington
- American Association of University Women - WA Chapter
- Addus Healthcare
- Alzheimer's Association - Western and Central Washington State Chapter
- Benton Franklin Parent Coalition
- Building Changes
- Cascade Chapter, Sierra Club
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- Children's Alliance
- Chinese Information and Service Center
- Climate Solutions
- Community Health Center La Clinica
- Community Health Network of Washington
- Comprehensive Health Education Foundation
- Dynamic Organizations
- Earth Ministry
- Economic Opportunity Institute
- Elder and Adult Day Services
- ElderHealth Northwest
- Environment Washington
- Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims
- Family Alliance for Mental Health
- Family Resource, Education & Empowerment for Developmental Disabilities
- Food Lifeline
- Fuse
- Futurewise
- Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) Association
- HealthPoint
- Housing Development Consortium Seattle-King County
- Inland Empire Residential Resources
- Juan de Fuca Festival of Arts
- King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing (KITH)
- Lutheran Community Services Northwest
- Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington State
- Minority Executive Directors Coalition
- NARAL Pro-Choice Washington
- National Association of Social Workers – WA Chapter
- New Futures
- Northwest Health Law Advocates
- Northwest Progressive Institute
- O.P.E.I.U. Local # 8
- Olympic Area Agency on Aging
- Olympic Community Action Programs
- OneAmerica
- Organizing for America
- Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT)
- Pioneer Human Services
- Planned Parenthood Votes! Washington
- Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans
- Resolution Washington
- SEIU Healthcare 775NW
- Skagit Parent Coalition for Developmental Disabilities
- Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP)
- Sound Thinking
- Statewide Poverty Action Network
- The Lands Council
- The Washington Bus
- Transportation Choices Coalition
- WA Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics
- WA State Coalition Against DV
- WA State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging
- Washington Association of Churches
- Washington Community Action Network
- Washington Education Association
- Washington Eldercare Alliance
- Washington Environmental Council
- Washington Federation of State Employees
- Washington Home Care Coalition
- Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
- Washington State Coalition for the Homeless
- Washington State Hospital Association
- Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO
- Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- Washington State PTA
- Washington Student Association
- Washinton State Coalition for the Homeless
- Win/Win Network
- Yakima Neighborhood Health Services
- Washington State Labor Council
Each of these groups employs full-time individuals who are now dedicated to convincing legislators to reach into your pocket to pay for their priorities. They also have an army of paid lobbyists and employees (some of them receiving tax dollars) that can show up at legislative hearings to push for higher taxes.Thoughts? Add Comment -
jerry buccola said on Jan 11 2010 at 8:02pm
Amber,
This is appalling! Thank you! We will broadcast this to our Citizen Action Network group in King County.
Jeremy M. said on Jan 11 2010 at 11:10pm
What a great list of groups with their hand in the cookie jar! If I was writing this year's budget, I'd do everything possible to defund each and every one of them.
The Poster is too true.
David A said on Jan 12 2010 at 1:59pm
Well Now I know who not to join or give charity money to. These are the groups to ignore and tell others they are not worth joining or getting involved with.
A Lurker said on Jan 12 2010 at 4:43pm
FYI...
Your URL shorterner to "Rebuilding Our Economic Future" is a .ly one. Libya is a terror-sponsoring nation.
The more you know...
A smarter lurker said on Jan 16 2010 at 5:56pm
"A lurker"
So bloody what? Several shorteners use .ly as an extension. You're silly.
Riiiight. said on Jan 16 2010 at 7:41pm
Yeah! Citizens have no right to organize themselves to petition their government for a redress of grievances. Stop these people now!
Sonny said on Jan 17 2010 at 4:48am
Q. What's In Your Waller?
A. 80 Hands
Sonny V G Auburn WA said on Jan 17 2010 at 5:00am
Q. What's in your Wallet?
A. 80 greedy hands.
Hands with an insatiable appetite for your hard earned money, and mine. For them, there is no such thing as enough, impossible to satisfy.
Take a stand, and fight back.
Amber Gunn said on Jan 17 2010 at 11:29pm
Lobbying the government to extract more money from someone else to pay for something that you deem a priority is hardly a redress of grievances. A "grievance" is when someone does something to you that harms you. Are you really going to argue that you have a "grievance" when you don't get something you want? I bet there are millions of teenagers out there who would agree with you.
But sure, these groups can complain all they want. Teenagers sure do. That doesn't mean they have a decent or defensible argument.
Snogwangler said on Jan 18 2010 at 12:04pm
This is revolting propaganda! You are trying to funnel money, that would be helping primarily elderly and sick, poor working class people, into the hands of the wealthy corporate interests, AS USUAL for you right wing Republicans. Shame on you for trying to manipulate the uneducated working class into thinking that you represent their interests!
Amber Gunn said on Jan 19 2010 at 4:55pm
Snogwangler,
Everything I stated in the post is fact. No need to get hysterical. The facts are:
1) A coalition of more than 80 labor, environmental and special interest groups has formed for the explicit purpose of raising taxes. They say so on their website, and have said so in at least one interview with the Olympian.
2) Most of these groups employ full or part-time lobbyists, who are able to call and show up to legislative hearings to influence a vote.
3) Many of these groups receive public dollars, which is why they are so threatened by the idea of real cuts (not just a reduction of an increase, which is usually the case).
4) The majority of taxes collected in this state come from the retail sales tax. Everyone pays that. The B&O tax is a secondary source of income. Both large and small businesses pay the B&O tax. AND businesses are the ones that employ people.
It is in the people's interest to allow individuals and businesses to keep their own money so they can employ people and make decisions about their own lives. As taxes increase, it also becomes more difficult for individuals to help their friends and neighbors in need, since a good portion of their income is already taken from them. I'm sorry you disagree.
Amber Gunn said on Jan 19 2010 at 4:59pm
And Snogwangler,
The only people trying to "funnel money" are the labor and special interest groups above. We simply argue that people should be able to keep their own money. The government funnels money. We aren't taking anything away from seniors or sick people. It's our money that funds their care. At some point (like during a deep recession) people get tapped out. But those sucking at the public teet don't understand that since they do all the sucking and none of the giving.
Patti B said on Jan 23 2010 at 6:23am
SEIU and Organizing for America have their hands all over this proverbial "Pie" of groups, which we know is corrupt. 'We the People' need to stand up to this corruption.
joyce straub said on Jan 26 2010 at 5:56am
if the peoople want help from welfare why don't they give back work for the state,county etc. by working in our areas that need help. I mean those that can work can help in some way for their money and they can feel like they are contributinag to society for their money and it helps the buget money wise without the need for more money for parks, schools, office workers, and any area they can do something.
Fred S. said on Jan 26 2010 at 10:01am
I could care less about the state employee's union. The union leaders need to shut up and wake up. I have had to take 12 weeks off without pay, plus a 20% cut in pay when I am working to help my company survive. I feel very lucky to still have a job. Why don't the state employees, starting with the Governor on down, help shoulder this burden instead of adding to it and expect those of us that are still working to pay their way. When my income is reduced, I have to reduce my spending accordingly and the state is no different.
Erskine A. said on Jan 30 2010 at 4:53pm
These organizations should be self sustaining and not leeches feeding off we tax payers. If they can generate the funds by whatever means, they should not be gifted our dollars and they should fold up their business and go away!