"Go home" tax package goes too far?
Posted by Scott "The Piper" St. Clair - April 08, 2010Gov. Christine Gregoire's "go home" tax package, which is being touted in many media outlets as close to being a done deal, still hasn't been endorsed by the Senate Democratic Caucus. No mention is made of it on their blog, and efforts to contact Democratic senators have yet to result in any affirmation of it.
A source close to the caucus said that the House leaked the package, which might explain why it was on their Web site for a time but then taken down.
When asked whether the Senate would agree to it, she said only that they had not bought off on the package as of yet.
Reportedly, Democratic senators were supposed to caucus Thursday morning, but the meeting was cancelled. A staff source said that the agenda probably included the "go home" package.
At least one Democratic senator has left town to what appears to be an undisclosed and remote vacation destination, and he won't be back until Sunday, which may be too late to participate in an anticipated vote on the package.
The "go home" package is a list of 20 increased or new taxes and transfers from certain state funds that is supposed to raise over $800 million in new revenue. Some items on the list have been around for a while - B&O tax surcharges, a tax on livestock nutrients, etc. Others like the tax hike on mass-market beer and the brand new increase in the tax on soda pop are late arrivals.
Many of the taxes are labeled as temporary with an expiration date affixed to them.
You can read the "go home" tax package here
Thoughts? Add Comment -
Army Mom said on Apr 08 2010 at 9:16pm
I tried reading the "Go Home Tax Package" but it made very little sense to me. No wonder the legislators can't get their act together!
I would feel better if it were the two sides of the isle hashing out different view points. But it's the same side of the isle hashing out different perspectives on how to gouge Washington voters with more taxes.
I am remembering this when it comes to voting this November.