Wonk Wagers

Seattle’s New Payroll Tax Is a Gamble

City council's latest business legislation levies companies the region is counting on to lead its recovery. Will they stay?

07/21/2020 By Benjamin Cassidy

News Wire

Amazon Reveals Its 2019 Financials as Olympia Weighs Big Business Tax

The tech giant's federal income taxes aren't staggering, but its other numbers are.

02/03/2020 By Benjamin Cassidy

Progressive Taxation

Should Washington Ditch a "Tampon Tax"? Here's Why It's Complicated.

Council member Teresa Mosqueda wants Seattle to lead by exempting menstrual products from the sales tax.

02/01/2019 By Anne Dennon

Snap Judgment

Should Seattle Eliminate Its ‘Tampon Tax’?

Teresa Mosqueda wants to stop retailers from charging sales tax for menstrual products—and she could take the fight to the state.

12/18/2018 By Anne Dennon

Snap Judgment

Should Seattle Stop Pursuing New Taxes?

Mayor Jenny Durkan says she doesn’t want them. But the city also predicts its revenues will slow down in the next few years.

11/20/2018 By Christina Ausley

Progressive Taxation

Report: Washington State Taxes Are Still the Most Inequitable in the Country

Families who make less than $24,000 a year—the poorest 20 percent of the state—pay an estimated 17.8 percent of their income toward taxes.

10/17/2018 By Hayat Norimine and Christina Ausley

Last Week in Politics

Seattle Income Tax Heads to Council for a Vote

The city council approved the bill out of the finance committee on Wednesday.

07/05/2017 By Hayat Norimine

Snap Judgment

Should Sound Transit Rethink the Car Tab Increase?

Voters approved the Sound Transit 3 plan in November 2016, continuing the old—some would say “inflated”—car valuation system and added a tax increase of 0.8 percent. A necessary tax or are Seattle residents being taken for a ride?

05/15/2017 By Liz Weber

Tax Me If You Can

Will Seattle Be the State’s First Income Tax Experiment?

Seattle loves paying taxes. But the one we may love the most flies in the face of state law.

05/15/2017 By Hayat Norimine

Guest Opinion

Sound Transit Taxing Authority Does Not Poach Education Dollars

The property tax portion of ST3 is not part of the state's education fund.

08/16/2016 By Joe Fitzgibbon

Morning Fizz

Seattle Police Make Several Pot Delivery Arrests in Recent Buy Bust Operation

Pot delivery, rural socialism, and single-family zoning.

04/21/2016 By Josh Feit

Morning Fizz

Once Again, Democrats Will Turn to Courts to Challenge Successful Eyman Initiative

Facing a choice between $8 billion in cuts or a two-thirds rule on raising taxes, state Democrats look to legally challenge I-1366.

11/11/2015 By Josh Kelety

Feature

What Does Capital Gains Tax Opponent Senator Andy Hill Really Have to Gain?

Senator Andy Hill opposes Governor Inslee's capital gains tax proposal. But why?

01/20/2015 By Josh Feit

Morning Fizz

Friday Likes and Dislikes: First World Problems and Rhetoric

Caffeinated News featuring the first week in Olympia and this weekend.

01/16/2015 By Josh Feit

Afternoon Jolt

He's Back! Republican (Simple) Majority Passes (Super) Majority Rule for Raising New Taxes

He's Back. Republicans institute Eyman's two-thirds rule in the senate.

01/12/2015

Afternoon Jolt

Eastside GOP Transportation Leader All in on Gas Tax

Republican transportation committee vice chair optimistic about gas tax.

01/09/2015 By Josh Feit

Morning Fizz

Friday Fizz Likes and Dislikes: Accomplished by Walking, Biking, and Transit

Caffeinated News featuring how we really feel about the week.

10/03/2014 By Morning Fizz

Afternoon Jolt

Jolt: WA Supreme Court Upholds State's Only Progressive Tax

The day's winners and losers.

10/02/2014 By Afternoon Jolt

Taxes

Seattle’s New Payroll Tax Is a Gamble

Amazon Reveals Its 2019 Financials as Olympia Weighs Big Business Tax

Should Washington Ditch a "Tampon Tax"? Here's Why It's Complicated.

Should Seattle Eliminate Its ‘Tampon Tax’?

Should Seattle Stop Pursuing New Taxes?

Report: Washington State Taxes Are Still the Most Inequitable in the Country

Top 10 Stories: New Head Tax, Proposed Education Levy, and Immigration

Top Stories: Mayor’s Budget, GOP Tax Bill, Sanctuary Status

Seattle Income Tax Heads to Council for a Vote

Should Sound Transit Rethink the Car Tab Increase?

Will Seattle Be the State’s First Income Tax Experiment?

Sound Transit Taxing Authority Does Not Poach Education Dollars

Seattle Police Make Several Pot Delivery Arrests in Recent Buy Bust Operation

Once Again, Democrats Will Turn to Courts to Challenge Successful Eyman Initiative

What Does Capital Gains Tax Opponent Senator Andy Hill Really Have to Gain?

Friday Likes and Dislikes: First World Problems and Rhetoric

He's Back! Republican (Simple) Majority Passes (Super) Majority Rule for Raising New Taxes

Eastside GOP Transportation Leader All in on Gas Tax

Friday Fizz Likes and Dislikes: Accomplished by Walking, Biking, and Transit

Jolt: WA Supreme Court Upholds State's Only Progressive Tax