Richard S. Davis

Taxes in play for 2012 campaigns and 2013 legislative session

In my column this morning, I briefly review some of the trial balloons floated this session by advocates of higher taxes. In addition, I cite three recent studies examining our state’s business tax burden. We’ve written about the business tax research here previously. The three studies are the Tax Foundation’s Location Matters report, TF’s best […]

Special legislative session should build sustainable budget

The special session of the Legislature convening today is expected to get off to a slow start. Brad Shannon has a good preview in the Olympian. The job before them hasn’t changed in months. The biggest chore is breaking the political stalemate over closure of a $1 billion budget gap. The goal eluded the Legislature […]

Budget negotiations must include Senate Rs, centrists

That’s the thrust of my column this morning. While Democrats may want to ignore the Friday vote, the bipartisan coalition that passed the Senate budget must be included in the final resolution. For those of us for whom sustainability is a top priority, the Senate budget sets the state on the right path. …Reconciling the […]

Billions of dollars in new taxes if preferences are repealed

HB 2762, the subject of an earlier blog post today, would repeal tax preferences worth $3.7 billion in the current biennium. Small businesses, farms, corporations, nonprofits, churches, transit agencies, cities and counties … too many groups to list here .. would all face tax increases. For some, the increases are fivefold. See this 8-page list for scheduled repeal […]

Bill to repeal tax preferences threatens jobs and investment

In the closing days of the legislative session, a HB 2762, a bill “to periodically expire all nonconstitutionally required tax preferences that are not already subject to expiration” may be getting new life. It passed out of House Ways and Means Committee March 3, on a party-line vote. What “to periodically expire” means is that on […]

New report by Tax Foundation: WA taxes are a mixed bag for business

Businesses differ in their response to state tax policy. Mature firms may face different tax challenges than do start-ups. Manufacturers, retailers, and R&D firms also have varying concerns when it comes to the way state taxes affect them. A new study by the Tax Foundation offers new guidance to business owners and policymakers who want […]

Let negotiations begin: Senate Democrats release budget, look for 25th vote.

This morning Senate Ways and Means Chair Ed Murray released his caucus’s vision of a go-home budget. It cuts less than the plans advanced by the governor and by House Democrats. Higher education and K-12 spending absorbs no new cuts. Murray acknowledged two important concerns: He’s not sure he has the 25 votes he needs […]

Remembering Washington's Birthday

Just a brief note that today is the 280th anniversary of the birthday of George Washington. It's the subject of my column this morning. 

Why it's a mistake to increase capital gains taxes

In an earlier column, I pointed out that several problems with proposals to tax capital gains in our state. With key legislators, including the Senate Ways and Means chair, still promoting the idea, I wanted to call attention to a recent blog post from the American Enterprise Institute. Some very effective debunking of prevalent myths. […]

Cities continue to block B&O tax simplification backed by business, governor

For years, business groups have sought a way to simplify the state’s myriad municipal business and occupation tax regimens. AWB president Don Brunell devoted his column this week to the issue, indicating support for Gov. Gregoire’s tax simplification proposal. B&O taxes are assessed on a business’ gross income, regardless of profit. The state imposes a […]