Thousands support the wealth tax

Taking Action in Olympia, Session Week 4

Fixing our unfair tax code by taxing the wealthy

Washington has the nation’s most upside-down tax code, with the wealthiest paying the least and working families paying the most, and lawmakers are looking for ways to balance our tax code.  This week, lawmakers heard a bill that would create a wealth tax for billionaires.  

Seattle EA president Jennifer Matter testified about how important it is to our students that we tax the rich, “This bill is a progressive tax that could help provide sustainable funding for our schools - for example, to help increase school nurses and mental health supports. Further, we are facing educator shortages in all positions across the state. This tax could provide funding to help us attract and retain qualified, committed, caring staff.”

Hundreds of WEA members added our voices to the overwhelming support for the bill. If you haven’t yet, add your voice now!  The bill, SB 5426, is waiting to be scheduled for a vote in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. 

Take action! Coming up this week… 

• The bill strengthening the voting rights act is scheduled for a hearing in Senate and Ways tomorrow. Sign in PRO here.
• The bill and resolution to allow bond issues to pass with 50% support (HJR 4200, HB 1226) will have a hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget on Monday.  Sign in PRO on HJR 4220 here and on HB 1226 here.
• The bill to make sure leave is available during a pandemic is scheduled for hearing tomorrow, Saturday, in the House Appropriations Committee. HB 1992
• Join the thousands of Washingtonians calling for a vote on the wealth tax, (SB 5426). Take action now.
• This week is floor action in the House and Senate and we can expect many of our priorities to be scheduled for a vote.  Stay tuned.

If you’re interested in testifying on these bills, please contact WEA Lobbyist Simone Boe.

Capital gains tax defended in court

Last year, WEA members helped pass a tax on extraordinary capital gains. This tax will impact just a handful of the richest Washingtonians while making our tax code fairer and generating as much as $500 million for education.  Wealthy interests, however, sued to try to block this new law.  WEA signed on as an intervener to defend the tax. 

Today, a judge heard oral arguments in the case and said it would take weeks to come to a decision.  Regardless of the decision, we will continue to advocate for a fairer tax code.

Retiree COLA bill passes in the Senate

Educators work hard to support our students and need respectful retirement pay that keeps pace with inflation.  The bill that would provide a 3% cost of living increase for plan 1 retirees is one step closer to law, having passed on the floor of the Senate and now heads to the House. (SB 5676)

WEA members who testified this week

Lucas Claussen (Olympia EA), Jennifer Matter (Seattle EA President), Carla Naccarato-Sinclair (Community College of Spokane AHE President), Christine Nutters (Seattle EA), James Peyton (Highline College EA), Liz Pray (Moses Lake EA), Carrie Syvertsen (Seattle EA), Maya Vergien (Bellevue EA)

Tracking our priorities

• Many bills have been passed in committee and await scheduling for floor debate and vote in their chambers.  These include student mental and physical health supports (HB 1664), retiree plan 1 COLAs (HB 1721), allowing more plan 2 members to join PEBB (HB 1911), ergonomic protections (HB 1837), allowing retirees to work more hours (HB 1699), and expanding student loan forgiveness for nurse educators (HB 2007).
• The bill to provide the mental health supports our students need awaits a vote in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. (SB 5595)
• The bill to improve equity, diversity, and access to culturally appropriate mental health supports at our community and technical colleges, has been referred to House Appropriations. (HB 1840)
• The two bills to make higher education more accessible passed in the House Appropriations Committee today and now await floor vote scheduling. (HB 1659 and  HB 1835)

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