A House committee approved the latest version of the legislation Friday. The governor insists it doesn’t include adequate tax relief provisions.
Washington Democrats’ controversial income tax bill emerged from a state House panel Friday looking much different than when it arrived.
But it hadn’t changed enough to win over Gov. Bob Ferguson, who said the bill “still has a long way to go” and raised concerns that lawmakers are “running out of time” to come up with an acceptable proposal.
The House Finance Committee stripped out a proposed tax break for large companies, sped up repeal of a new sales tax on services, and eliminated the sales tax on diapers.
Those are among the most notable changes made to the version of the bill approved by the Senate earlier this month.
Senate Bill 6346, dubbed the “millionaires’ tax” by supporters, passed out of the committee on a 9-6 vote with all Republicans and one Democrat, Rep. Amy Walen of Kirkland, opposed.
“I am eager to vote yes today,” said Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma. “It ensures that we have the resources to invest in early learning, child care, public education, health care, food assistance and workforce development programs, as well as the working families tax credit. It provides support for businesses, and it now, as of today, provides for tax free diapers.”
Continue reading this story on the Washington State Standard.