WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Rep. Jim Moeller Statement on House Budget Proposal

“I believe strongly in a Washington that looks toward the future. This is a state that should be able to meet its constitutional obligation to fully fund basic education, which should be able to help those who are ill and in need of care, keeps taxes low and keeps the path to prosperity clear and free of roadblocks. Unfortunately, that is not the Washington we live in today.

For years we have suffered from an unfair tax structure that places the revenue burden on the working people while the wealthiest among us pay the smallest percentage of income. Because of that, and the recession that affected the entire country, legislators have been forced to cut state services, raise tuition at colleges and universities, and let our schools fall into disrepair. It’s time for that to end!

The House Democrats unveiled a budget today that ends the unfair tax structure. Our budget prioritizes those that work hard by providing small business tax relief with our Back to Business Plan and cuts tax breaks for big businesses. And we institute ‘the Fair Share Tax”, which is paid for by the wealthiest few of Washington on the record profits from stocks, bonds, and lucrative sales of private corporations, so that we can invest in our future.

Our budget funds kids first by fully-funding basic education in the next 4 years. It finally updates our broken and struggling mental health care system, restoring past cuts and brings it into the 21st century. And our budget continues our investments in early learning, because we know that investment pays off in future education and economic output.

Now is the time for us to fix the unfair tax structure and finally start building a Washington we want to leave for our children. This is a great budget for the people of Washington and I am proud to be a supporter!”