No winner or loser today, just a quote of the day.

The state's Democratic leaders in Olympia have a consistent talking point when asked why they support a regressive fix to the budget crisis.

Gov. Chris Gregoire has proposed a temporary 0.5 percent sales tax increase to "buy back" half a billion dollars' worth of the programs she has proposed cutting to balance the budget in the face of a $1.5 billion shortfall. The buybacks would prevent: a $160 million cut to higher education; a $252 million cut to K-12 education; $41 million in public safety (such as cutting parole officers); and $42 million in cuts to human service programs.

The senate's Democratic budget leader, Sen. Ed Murray (D-43, Seattle) and the governor herself, tell skeptics (usually from the left), that what's more regressive than a sales tax is cutting social services for poor people and education for kids.

However, today, state house Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-27, Tacoma), who told us she's proposing a capital gains tax next week (something Gregoire rejected), rephrased the Democratic talking point in the starkest terms we've heard yet.

Asked if the liberal-leaning house supported the sales tax, Jinkins—only speaking for herself—said: "It's not my favorite, but I prefer making poor people pay more in taxes than making poor people die."

Consider it a new spin on death and taxes.

The legislative session starts Monday.