Sound Politics: Tax increases and tricks in the LARGER budget

April 24, 2009

Tax increases and tricks in the LARGER budget

Increasing any tax requires a vote of the taxpayers or 2/3 majority in both houses of the Legislature. How can they pass a tax increase in HB 1614 without the required majority? Not legally.

Republican leader Doug Ericksen says they intend to. "No. It's not a tax increase; it's a fee on evil oil refineries." What's the difference between a fee increase and a tax increase? Both come out of your pocket.

HB 1614 ... creates the water pollution account and requires the department of ecology to develop criteria for administering the program and ranking projects for funding.. Imposes a fee on the first possession of petroleum products that contribute to storm water pollution to offset the harm caused by petroleum pollution of storm water.

This budget is $1.5 billion larger than the last. Is that a cut?

And they move money from one account to another. Tricked you! But it has to be paid back. And they defer funding commitments, such as pensions. Again... you will pay for this!

via Kirby Wilbur on KVI.

Posted by Ron Hebron at April 24, 2009 07:31 AM | Email This

Comments

1. We have got to get an initiative on the books that makes it illegal for the state to defer funding of pensions.

Tim Eyeman - where are you my man?

Posted by: johnny on April 24, 2009 07:51 AM

2. We have got to get an initiative on the books that makes it illegal for the state to defer funding of pensions.

Tim Eyeman - where are you my man?

Posted by: johnny on April 24, 2009 07:52 AM

3. What is heck is "first possession"? To me it sounds like something the pols and legal beagles will get hold of and twist and turn and spin it into something is wasn't meant to.

Posted by: swatter on April 24, 2009 08:03 AM

4. If this fails to pass they will just declare it an emergency and ram it through that way. If the Rs cannot pick up a lot of seats after this legislative fiasco all hope is lost for them. Big winners this year are gays, transgenders, felons, public breast feeders,and tree huggers. Losers are all the rest of us tax and fee payers.Why is the Republican Party Chairman ( sorry I forgot his name ) AWOL? I want to ask him if my socialist party representative will run unopposed again next year.

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Posted by: Maria on April 24, 2009 09:05 AM

7. Our GOP in this state doesn't debate issues - that would be a winning strategy.

How powerful and devistating would a 30 second ad be that says "Despite all the misconceptions fostered by our state's congress, the simple fact is that the budget INCREASED 1.5 billion this year."

A sign off that says "Call your congressperson now why the signed off on a 1.5 billion dollar increase that actually cut education and health in this state" would really seal the deal.

But I'm dreaming I guess. I'm sure they'll spend their money instead on generic "Vote for Fred" tv ads and to put up a bunch more yard signs. That has worked SO well for them over the last few elections.

Posted by: Johnny on April 24, 2009 09:05 AM

8. Johnny: After the presidential election, I called the Washington Republican Party headquarters to find out what they were doing to regroup after the defeat. More of the same, I guess. I came away from the conversation feeling as though I had accomplished nothing, and not hopeful for any epiphanies on the part of Republican leadership any time soon - at least not within our state. The party leadership is entrenched and doesn't want to change its ways.

Posted by: PeggyU on April 24, 2009 10:06 AM

9. As 50 million Americans find they have no representation in their country, and as democrats keep jamming socialism, taxes, and environmental extremism down our throats, we can only hope enough people change sides and join those who want to remain a free, capitalist, republic bound by the US Constitution, and VOTE THEM TO BACK TO HELL where they belong!

Posted by: scott on April 24, 2009 11:16 AM

10. Please read Stefan's new entry about election fraud at KCRE. It doesn't matter what the GOP tries to do, the Slavers in control of Government now will simply commit fraud, lie, and cheat to maintain power.

And with their willing compatriots in the mainstream media they will never be held accountable for these actions, and the message the GOP wants to get out will be stifled.

We ARE the banana republic of the US. And with the Obamassiah in charge, we're soon to be the biggest banana republic in the world...

Posted by: Shanghai Dan on April 24, 2009 11:25 AM

11. Re: 1. Johnny:
We do not need to mandate funding of state pensions. The current defined benefit plans are flawed and unsustainable. The actuarial assumptions concerning life spans, inflation and rate of income or growth cannot be achieved.

Public pensions in this state need to be converted to defined contribution plans with employer matching employee contribution plans.

The unfunded liability of public employee pensions in Washington portend a financial disaster that could bankrupt most public employers. The question is not if, but when this will happen.

Posted by: Paddy on April 24, 2009 12:28 PM

12. Took a quick look over at Goldy's place - the usual "hate GOP, more taxes"

Posted by: Crusader on April 24, 2009 01:36 PM

13. What I do not understand is why there are no sanctions by the court for falsifying discovery in litigation. I would have thought the Fisons case would have made clear that sanctions were in order. Someone at the County would have to sign the discovery responses under oath.

Posted by: SgtDad on April 24, 2009 05:06 PM

14. HB 1614 is not a fee on oil refineries. This cost will be directly passed on to us consumers and will add at least 3% (given a barrel is $50) to oil products.
HB 1614 is nothing more than a $ give away to the municipalities to help fund their compliance with their municipal stormwater permits required by the WA Dept of Ecology.
I'm very unhappy with one of my Reps (Jay Rodne, R) for being one of the sponsors of this bill.

Posted by: mvray on April 24, 2009 08:18 PM

15. What irresponsible budgeting these people do. I bet they think using credit cards and running balances with them while paying 18% is a smart thing to do, too.

Posted by: Michele on April 24, 2009 08:49 PM

16. Poster at 11.

I'm sure you're right. Unfortunately, the issue isn't the right way to handle this, it's the visibility of the issue.

When we demand that politicians acknowledge the ramifications of the contracts they sign with the unions instead of hiding the issues, when we will see real visibility. With visibiility comes change.

Posted by: johnny on April 25, 2009 12:16 AM