Our illustrious governor, who said during her last campaign that she would not support an income tax, is supporting an income tax.

http://www.king5.com/news/politics/Gregoire-will-vote-for-state-income-tax-104804269.html

This is the same governor who said there was no budget issue.

Wake up folks.

I hear ya Andy!

I'm sure that Dino Rossi woulda been able to anticipate the recession and solve all of our budget woes with absolutely no trouble at all.

Is this really that much of a suprise to anyone?

It's about as much of a suprise as her statement on the cuts that would need to be made to Ed should the money not be confiscated.

As if the state couldn't cut somewhere else first.

Perfect, avoid the issue at hand by deflecting the question. I guess that is what you do when the actions of the person you voted for are indefensable.

Yeah, Lottery funds were SUPPOSED to go towards education until they raided those funds. Seatbelts and cell phones were initially not a primary offense. Do not give them a foot in the door folks.

Does anybody really think that this income tax issue wouldn't be changed to affect more of the populace after the 2 year period has expired? Seriously?

She didn't have integrity then, and she has just shown that she still has no integrity. This state needs an enema.

I think you're right, Dogfish. Once the tax goes in, it never comes out, and the base will expand. Both sales and income tax will put us all in the poor house, and unless the system is changed, the budget deficit will continue to increase all the while.

I personally think we should repeal sales taxes and go to an across-the-board income tax. To me, that's the most honest, fair way to collect taxes. Besides that, relative to sales tax, an income tax would allow for much more accurate revenue forecasts, thereby closing the door on a lot of new programs for which the budget, which assumes revenues that may or may not (generally will not, in this economy) materialize from sales taxes.

We must desist from the pattern of allowing unrealistic forecasts to determine whether or not new programs get implemented.

I'm no Gregoire fan Andy... just a realist.

You're usually pretty realistic too?

We've got a huge budget deficit thanks to this national recession. We've gotta do something about it... right?

Trying to blame Gregoire for the whole mess... well, just ain't very realistic.

We had a choice between Rossi and Gregoire in '08. Do you really think things would be any different now if Rossi had won?

I do! The lies would be different!

I would still vote Rossi over the bitch!

Rossi would likely not have grown government as much as she has, therefore there would not have been as much spending. That means that the surplus we had for a little bit might have actually been larger, and the ongoing expenses less, leading to less of a mess. I'm counting both terms, by the way.

She has not seen a spending opportunity that she didn't like.

I'm kind of with Ron Paul on this one (as much as I disagree with some of his stances). Flat tax across the board. This goes for state and federal. Done. It is fair, and places the burden equally across the board on a percentage of earnings. In recession times there would be some fluctuations as employment went down, so it isn't fool proof, but it is certainly better than taxing one candy bar and not taxing another, just because the second one has wheat flour in it. That is ass hattery.

You are looking at the results, not the problem. The problem is overspending, and that has sent us into a national recession! What they need to do to solve the problem is to stop all the overspending and be responsible. When the funds are gone at my house, I quit spending. They need to do the same.

Ducker!

She lied. It's what politicians do. Rossi would have lied also, as he continues to do. The state would still be in a fiscal mess had Rossi been elected, but the mess would be arranged somewhat differently is all.

I understand that state government is in a very tough fiscal bind. And there is no easy way out. The proposed income tax would help somewhat. And if I thought for a second that the governor and legislature could be trusted with "our public trust," I'd even vote for it. But like many, I am 99% certain that after the necessary two year wait, the legislature will expand the base that the income tax applies to, while changing nothing with the sales tax. I'd vote for a graduated state income tax in a heartbeat if, and only if, the state sales tax and B&O tax were repealed by the same measure.

Regardless of the tax system, sales or income, there is no way for state revenue to be immune from the swings in the economy, and ultimately that is a good thing. It's bad for all of us on a temporal scale, but experiencing periodic negative effects is necessary for the body politic to keep in touch with social and economic reality.

Sg

How's the state of Idaho? Are they broke too?

Keith

What's Rossi have to do with it, The question was regarding CG. Also we need to remember that they (those in power) spend the surplus rainy day fund, and now opps, we need more money because the rainy day is here. Vote the bums out.

Ducker!

It's OK.....she has a rainy day fund.....you forgot, didn't you?

The Reps were screaming about keeping a rainy day fund. Things would definitely be worse under Rossi.
Maybe we should cut education. Stink seems to get by without one.

I found a perfect solution to the problem.

I'm getting the fvck out of here.

This state's fuct.

Hank and Irie should get a room . . . my state's fucter than your state . . .

I think Hank has an extra bedroom for Irie.

That's where I'm headed.