Our state is facing a revenue shortfall of $12 billion over the next four years. Despite the fact that Washingtonians voted overwhelmingly to protect the Capital Gains Tax, a progressive tax on extreme wealth, Governor Ferguson has committed to balancing the budget with cuts instead of additional taxation of the ultra-wealthy.
During the Great Recession, we took an austerity approach, cutting vital programs and services that supported our state's most vulnerable populations. Cuts to safety net programs, affordable healthcare, and education dealt another blow to Washingtonians already struggling to make ends meet, causing harm that our state is still recovering from to this day.
Instead of balancing the budget on the backs of Washingtonians living on a low income again, we should ask those who can afford it to pay their fair share. With a wealth tax and other progressive revenue options, our state can afford to meet this budget shortfall and maintain funding for vital programs that support our state's most vulnerable residents.
Even though Governor Ferguson is not yet on board, legislators have a mandate from voters to pass progressive revenue instead of cutting the programs they rely on. Tell your lawmakers: pass progressive revenue, not budget cuts. |
