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April 10, 2009 4:44 PM
If there is to be a sales tax increase in Washington state...
Posted by Joni Balter
Friday's story about the state Legislature pondering a sales tax increase left me scratching my head. If there is to be a sales tax increase proposed to voters next fall, why not tie it to something voters are fond of, like education?
The Times editorial page has opposed a tax increase as a detriment to recovery from a recession, so I am by no means pledging allegiance to any tax increase.
What I am saying is I don't believe polls that show that voters might be amenable to a sales tax increase that pays for such things as hospitals, public health, the basic health plan and nursing homes.
The reason is simple: It will be hard to persuade people to increase their taxes to pay for health care for other people when they have lost jobs or fear losing jobs.
Education, on the other hand, is a broader public good that many people without children or grandchildren, believe in.... education as the great equalizer.
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