Economic Opportunity Institute

Hey, that's our board member!

Rep. Brianna Thomas has a clear and succinct answer as to why @housedemocrats.wa.gov should vote to pass the Millionaires Tax this year:

How will the Millionaires Tax affect small businesses? The vast majority of small businesses and pass-through entities will not be affected by the Millionaires Tax.

Ultimately, we are interested in a vital small-business environment. But we have not had the funding to keep up - relative to income and population growth, Washington’s budget has actually declined by 60% over the last 30 years.

#WALeg #MillionairesTax

opportunityinstitute.org/blog/post/mi...

We’re disappointed that ESB 6347 - which would undo many of last year’s progressive changes to WA’s estate tax – has moved forward in the legislature. As Mia on our team said in testimony last week, #WaLeg must protect progressive sources of revenue to fund the budget and prevent budget cuts!

The 99% of Washingtonians power the economy, not the 1% affected by this tax. 99% of Washingtonians have been dealing with a very unfavorable tax climate for the last 70+ years. That's exactly what we are trying to change with this policy.

#WALeg

Don't balance WA budget at child care providers' expense | Op-Ed Child care is economic infrastructure. Protecting Working Connections Child Care reinforces a foundation that supports our economy.

"Child care is economic infrastructure. It is the work that makes all the other work possible and is as important as our roads and bridges."

More from our executive director and partners in @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social:

#WALeg

Millionaires Tax is reported out of #WALeg House Finance Committee DO PASS on a 9-6 vote!!! 🥳

The bill now heads to the Rules Committee where it can be then pulled to the House floor for final passage.

Thanks to everyone who testified in support on Monday! You can view our thread of that here:

Orcutt is doing the classic GOP tactic: ignoring the massive increase in population over the past 2 decades to claim we don't need to do more.

Our friends at @eoionline.bsky.social debunked this talking point wonderfully: bsky.app/profile/eoio...

Rep. Sharon Wylie: "Goal is to make our tax system fair & sustainable. Fair means less regressive to me, where people pay their fair share. We must balance our tax code for the future."

"If we don't fund education, take care of health, we all pay." Says this is as much moral as it is economic

¡Viva México! ❤️‍🔥

Rep, Sharlett Mena: "this bill right sizes our upside down tax code, it's also a step towards fulfilling our promise to WA that if you work hard, you can build a better life."

Tells the story of her family who moved to WA from Mexico, and the strong public services that helped feed and educate her.

It seems like the opposition isn't rooted in factual research.

Let's help them out with that: In the last 30 years, spending has declined by 61% in K-12 education; 68% in higher education; and (since 1998) by 44% in social, health, and human services.

#WALeg #RealEyesRealizeRealLies

Berg's 2nd amendment expands small business tax credits "our B&O taxes are as regressive as sales taxes are to individuals"

Her amendment is passed unanimously #WALeg

@organizewithshaun.bsky.social: Says the Millionaires Tax is a historic moment of progress. "That progress would be diminished by the inclusion of a large tax break. Do we hand a tax break of half a million dollars to some of the largest corporations?"

Scott's amendment passes!

Chair Berg's amendment to align treaty or executive order-established tribes with federally recognized tribes under the tax, as they are in federal tax law, is passed unanimously.

GOP Rep. Jacobsen's 3 amendments fail

Aaand we're back!

Rep. Zahn on her amendment: "everyday people should not have to choose between paying rent, buying food, or buying diapers"

Her amendment passes unanimously as GOP voices support. #WALeg

Learn more about the Millionaires Tax, pass-through entities, and small businesses in our latest blog post: opportunityinstitute.org/blog/post/mi...

#WALeg

Don't let opposition pit us against each other. We want support for small businesses because they are essential to a strong economy.

Let's clear up some blatant misinformation: The vast majority of small businesses and pass-through entities won't be affected by the Millionaires Tax.

#WALeg

Thank you, Councilmember Lin! 🫶

Such an exciting day. Passing the Millionaires Tax is monumental to fixing our upside-down tax code. And it wouldn’t be happening but for many years of advocacy at both the state and local levels. Thanks to @fusewashington.org @eoionline.bsky.social @budget-policy.bsky.social to name a few.

#WALeg House Finance Committee votes on the Millionaires Tax TODAY!

There are a number of amendments to get through first however. Staff are currently briefing the Representatives on those.

Most small businesses owners won’t pay this tax (unless the owner has income over a million a year after expenses). But very small businesses will benefit from more than doubling the small business B&O tax credit that this bill will enable.

For me it’s a matter of basic fairness and getting everyone to pay their fair share. We can’t get to the state we all deserve if we don’t all contribute what we owe! #AskWALeg

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And our research shows, over the last 30 years, spending has declined by 61% in K-12 education: opportunityinstitute.org/blog/post/wa...

#WALeg #AskWALeg

Senator Saldaña, thank you for voting yes on the Millionaires Tax! We heard your speech and what motivates you to keep fighting for all Washingtonians.

How can we support getting this through the House?

Rep. Ryu, why are you supporting the Millionaires Tax?

Rep. Ramel, how do you see funds from the Millionaires Tax directly impacting communities in the 40th district?

Hello, Rep. Berg and board member!

What inspired you to fight for a Millionaires Tax?

What are your questions about the Millionaires Tax? I’m answering them here, live, this Thursday night at 7:10-8:00. Reply here with what you want to know! #AskWaleg