Thousands join dueling tax rallies at Capitol Monday
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Activists on both sides of tax debate descended on the state Capitol on Monday to speak their minds.
More than 2,000 people gathered from all over the state to voice their anger over the possibility of a tax raise.
"No more tax! No more tax!" chanted anti-tax demonstrators. The message was clear: the taxpayers said they are spent.
"My family's income has dropped in the last year and yet we see government is increasing when we're asked to do more when everybody else is ... it is too much," said Lowell Millard. "I've all I can take of new taxes. We are stretched beyond belief."
The group gathered under the banner "push back, no tax," a grassroots effort to fight the Legislature's effort to suspend Initiative 960, a ballot initiative that required a two-thirds majority to raise taxes.
"We've got to get rid of these taxes," said Ruth Hales of Port Angeles. "We've got to get rid of these people who are spending our lives away. We've saved all of our lives and it's all gone."
There were politicians on the program, but those gathered wanted the politicians to hear the no-tax message.
"Change the majority opinion? Maybe not," said Rep. Richard DeBolt, the House minority leader. "The Democrats aren't looking to hear this. But what it does do is get people interested in running. It gives support to those who are fighting the good fight on the taxes."
Despite the huge rally, Democrats said they need to suspend I-960.
"I think we do, for our state to economically rebound," said Rep. Brendan Williams, D-Olympia. "At the same time people don't want to pay higher taxes, certainly, they're demanding vital services."
Many who receive those vital services took over the steps in one of the biggest Capitol rallies in years in favor of taxes.
"I am, I am," said Kathy Korpela of Burien. "I can cut out something else, and I'd rather make sure we can get adequate social programs for those in need."
Pro-tax demonstrators say without new money, there'll be severe cuts to social services and education.
"It's necessary, sometimes you have to pay more to take care of those around you," said Charla Wade of Raymond.
Small business owners also expressed support for tax hikes.
"Our taxes have already been raised in this state as a business, but we would be willing as a company to pay more taxes and have less social costs in the long run," said Rhonda Froode.
The State Senate has already voted in favor of suspending I-960, which they can legally do after an initiative has been in place two years. And now the State House is poised to do the same. It sets the stage for lawmakers to pass taxes with only a bare majority vote.
It's a big week for budget decisions at the Legislature. Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to detail her preferences for specific taxes early in the week, with Senate budget writers hoping to unveil their spending plan a few days later.
More than 2,000 people gathered from all over the state to voice their anger over the possibility of a tax raise.
"No more tax! No more tax!" chanted anti-tax demonstrators. The message was clear: the taxpayers said they are spent.
"My family's income has dropped in the last year and yet we see government is increasing when we're asked to do more when everybody else is ... it is too much," said Lowell Millard. "I've all I can take of new taxes. We are stretched beyond belief."
The group gathered under the banner "push back, no tax," a grassroots effort to fight the Legislature's effort to suspend Initiative 960, a ballot initiative that required a two-thirds majority to raise taxes.
"We've got to get rid of these taxes," said Ruth Hales of Port Angeles. "We've got to get rid of these people who are spending our lives away. We've saved all of our lives and it's all gone."
There were politicians on the program, but those gathered wanted the politicians to hear the no-tax message.
"Change the majority opinion? Maybe not," said Rep. Richard DeBolt, the House minority leader. "The Democrats aren't looking to hear this. But what it does do is get people interested in running. It gives support to those who are fighting the good fight on the taxes."
Despite the huge rally, Democrats said they need to suspend I-960.
"I think we do, for our state to economically rebound," said Rep. Brendan Williams, D-Olympia. "At the same time people don't want to pay higher taxes, certainly, they're demanding vital services."
Many who receive those vital services took over the steps in one of the biggest Capitol rallies in years in favor of taxes.
"I am, I am," said Kathy Korpela of Burien. "I can cut out something else, and I'd rather make sure we can get adequate social programs for those in need."
Pro-tax demonstrators say without new money, there'll be severe cuts to social services and education.
"It's necessary, sometimes you have to pay more to take care of those around you," said Charla Wade of Raymond.
Small business owners also expressed support for tax hikes.
"Our taxes have already been raised in this state as a business, but we would be willing as a company to pay more taxes and have less social costs in the long run," said Rhonda Froode.
The State Senate has already voted in favor of suspending I-960, which they can legally do after an initiative has been in place two years. And now the State House is poised to do the same. It sets the stage for lawmakers to pass taxes with only a bare majority vote.
It's a big week for budget decisions at the Legislature. Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to detail her preferences for specific taxes early in the week, with Senate budget writers hoping to unveil their spending plan a few days later.