4 The People: The fate of Washington’s millionaires tax heads to November’s ballot as for and against campaigns ramp up

SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington voters will decide the fate of one of the state’s most controversial laws this midterm election in November. On the ballot, is Initiative 645, seeking to repeal the newly signed bill, dubbed the “millionaires tax.”

Governor Ferguson signed the income tax into law earlier this year, imposing nearly a 10 percent tax on anyone earning more than $1 million annually. However, not everyone was a fan. The group “Let’s Go Washington” gathered more than 500,000 signatures to place Initiative 645 on the November ballot.

Now, two campaigns for and against the initiative are in full swing as the election approaches.

The group “Let’s Go Washington” is leading the effort to repeal the tax.

“Washington state has always rejected an income tax, and the legislature chose not to give people a voice on this one. And so 645 gives people the opportunity to vote on it and to repeal a dangerous policy for Washington state,” said Hallie Herzberg, communications director for “Let’s Go Washington”.

LGW says they if the tax continues, it could open the door for state legislatures to eventually start an income tax on everyone. Herzberg noted that concerns about the tax are already having an impact on people the organization has talked to.

“People are certainly leaving the state, with just the implication of this tax. It hasn’t even started,” Herzberg said.

Today, the “NO on 645” campaign stopped in Spokane to spread their message, that the state should proceed with the millionaires tax. The group included members from planned parenthood, nurses, small business owners, childcare providers, and others. Senator Marcus Riccelli, who was also present, says if the tax is eliminated, billions of dollars would not be raised for K-12 schools, childcare, and healthcare.

“I-645 will blow a huge hole in the state budget. We will lose $13 billion over four years. That means all the tax cuts for working and middle-class families and small businesses that I mentioned would go away,” Riccelli said.

“Stripping funding away from kids and working people,” said Luc Jasmin III, a member of the “No on 645” campaign, describing what would happen if the measure passes.

If Initiative 645 fails, the millionaires tax will take effect in 2029. The Spokane County Elections Office is currently preparing for the midterm election, with ballots scheduled to arrive in voters’ mailboxes in about a month.