Inslee: Extending expiring taxes not an increase
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday that he doesn't consider the extension of temporary taxes - as proposed by his predecessor - a tax increase and that the idea is one of many he is open to as the legislative budget process begins.
At his first official news conference as governor, Inslee said that while he's not proposing anything specific, he wants to give the Legislature "room to discuss this potential."
"I don't want to foreclose the possibility of those being on the table for discussion," he said. "I'm not proposing it right now. I think it's something that people are ultimately going to consider."
Last month, former Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed a budget that would extend taxes on beer and business taxes paid by doctors, lawyers, accountants and others.
Inslee says he's not breaking his campaign promise eschewing taxes because he doesn't consider the extensions new taxes.
"These do not increase taxes," he said. "They do not raise taxes on people over the existing level that they are paying today."
Inslee was sworn in on Wednesday. He takes office facing a projected $900 million deficit for the next two-year budget ending in mid-2015.
That doesn't include money lawmakers will need to spend to improve funding for education as directed by the state Supreme Court earlier this year.
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Associated Press writer Mike Baker contributed to this report.
At his first official news conference as governor, Inslee said that while he's not proposing anything specific, he wants to give the Legislature "room to discuss this potential."
"I don't want to foreclose the possibility of those being on the table for discussion," he said. "I'm not proposing it right now. I think it's something that people are ultimately going to consider."
Last month, former Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed a budget that would extend taxes on beer and business taxes paid by doctors, lawyers, accountants and others.
Inslee says he's not breaking his campaign promise eschewing taxes because he doesn't consider the extensions new taxes.
"These do not increase taxes," he said. "They do not raise taxes on people over the existing level that they are paying today."
Inslee was sworn in on Wednesday. He takes office facing a projected $900 million deficit for the next two-year budget ending in mid-2015.
That doesn't include money lawmakers will need to spend to improve funding for education as directed by the state Supreme Court earlier this year.
___
Associated Press writer Mike Baker contributed to this report.
I donât have a problem with being taxed. I understand what it is âsupposedâ to be used for and the good the various programs do for the overall populace. However a government representative thinking that extending an expiring tax is not an increase is just a sign of the problems on both sides of the aisle. I can see how it could be viewed that way, but come on⦠most people are not going to view it in that light.
I said this all along, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A "TEMPORARY" TAX!!! Yet all the idiots who keep voting for tax and spend, "its just a temporary tax" still don't get it!
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Inslee, extending an EXPIRING tax IS and INCREASE!
The Evergreen queen in drag.
Sounds like business as usual.Â
The "Extended" beer tax makes us # 2 the highest taxed on beer in the nation. Micro brewers really do not make that much from each gallon brewed to add this extra burden. They of course pass it on to the retaileer, which passes it on to the consumer.
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The added tax amounts to $15.50 per barrel of 31-gallons. This almost triples the total tax for affected breweries, from $8.08 per barrel to $23.58 per barrel. That is about $.28 extra per six-pack. Or, $1.12 extra per case of 24, $7.75 per typical 1/2 barrel keg or just over $0.06 per 16oz pint.
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just another sin tax to add to the bloated general fund.
Echoing the famous Bette Davis line "fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride" and with Obamacare gearing up the middle class is doomed.  I may be better off moving to Haiti.
How do you know when a politician is lying?
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The lips are moving.
Yo, Jay, how about a freaking break, already?!?There is very little left to take from this taxpayer.Get a clue!
I'm guessing we can forget about 'getting ahead' in life. My Wife just got her raise at work and with the tax 'holiday' expiring, we're actually going backwards. We're actually going to take home less now. I can only hope my raise is higher. Our employers are only going to be able to pay us so much, so I'm not sure where our 'American Dream' is heading.........
 @SgtSarcasm Raise? What is that? They still do those?
We,the money trees !? They'd better think twice !!!!
A billion in the hole. That's one thousand million. It won't go away. Quite a few dine and dashers here. It will cost more by not paying the bill immediately. Look at the interest on the national debt. We need tax increases, not cuts, not "extensions". If you don't want to pay so much, then don't eat so much. The more you make the more you pay. The more you own, the more you pay. It's the only thing that works. Don't want to pay taxes? Become a turnip without an income. That or immigrate to another land. Move aside and let someone who is not a whining, sniveling baby make the income and pay the tax on it. There are lots of folks willing to take your place and pay the bills. You are replaceable.
 @uscit16791949 Poor Misguided Boy... The first thought from our new Governor should be to roll back all those expensive changes to our state that have been legislated into place that we cannot afford.  (There are many of them).  and then concentrate on what the voters really want.  Roll back and save money... Not Tax and Spend.
 @contractorniu  @uscit16791949 The looney progressive liberal dems do not understand this. Matter of fact they will not be happy until government controls ever aspect of their lives.
@uscit16791949 No. You are merely another tool. Government wants to grow and expand at the cost to your lifestyle, your kids future, on your hard work. It already confiscates too much. POTUS wants to spend 25% of the GDP, moving up from 17% or so. It's time for government to do what we all have done: do with less.
 @uscit16791949 It's amazing to me that someone actually gets it. Whether we like it or not there is money that has already been spent which has to be repaid. The only way for Government (us) to do that is through taxes.
Oh, c'mon everyone! It's not an increase in taxes, just an extension of taxes that were supposed to expire! Sheesh. Yeah, right "Sinlee".....call it anything you want. Just like that thing on your head you call normal growing hair. I smell a revolution. I guess "we" the public are supposed just look the other way while we are robbed. Are we all really this stupid? He sure seems to think that.
And they wonder why Eyman keeps coming out with a new initiative on tax increases every two years
I would rather see an extension than new taxes.
 @Tattooed_Angel Missed your meds?
 @Bornhere  @Tattooed_Angel Can't afford meds.
 @Rockberry  @Tattooed_Angel So sad, but true.
@Tattooed_Angel....OMG!!!! Did you really post that??? An extension for how long TA?? Forever??? If so, it's a new tax Einstein..........why do I even bother?
 @ReallyRUSerious The Bush tax cuts were "temporary" yet everyone was screaming for those to be permanent. Got to pay the bills whether you like it or not.
Well folks, get used to it. The only change is not having to look at that dissipated, warn out, lying, socialist POS he replaced. At least he is only a lying socialist POS.Â
Increase, extended, so what? Bottom line? The cost for all of us goes up. You can think, well, I don't drink beer, and I can't afford a doctor or lawyer anyway, so what's it to me? But you'll see as those who can afford these things raise their costs to the public as a result. There's no such thing as 'just a tax' on anything. It trickles down to the general public no matter where it starts. We call it inflation. Bottom line, your dollar just got thinner.
 @Joy Johnson Actually your current costs just stayed the same.
It's funny to listen to these people justify their back peddling. Its a lot like this scene from The Holy Grail:BEDEMIR: Quiet, quiet. Quiet! There are ways of telling whether she is a witch. CROWD: Are there? What are they? BEDEMIR: Tell me, what do you do with witches? VILLAGER #2: Burn! CROWD: Burn, burn them up! BEDEMIR: And what do you burn apart from witches? VILLAGER #1: More witches! VILLAGER #2: Wood! BEDEMIR: So, why do witches burn? [pause] VILLAGER #3: B--... 'cause they're made of wood...? BEDEMIR: Good! CROWD: Oh yeah, yeah... BEDEMIR: So, how do we tell whether she is made of wood? VILLAGER #1: Build a bridge out of her. BEDEMIR: Aah, but can you not also build bridges out of stone? VILLAGER #2: Oh, yeah. BEDEMIR: Does wood sink in water? VILLAGER #1: No, no. VILLAGER #2: It floats! It floats! VILLAGER #1: Throw her into the pond! CROWD: The pond! BEDEMIR: What also floats in water? VILLAGER #1: Bread! VILLAGER #2: Apples! VILLAGER #3: Very small rocks! VILLAGER #1: Cider! VILLAGER #2: Great gravy! VILLAGER #1: Cherries! VILLAGER #2: Mud! VILLAGER #3: Churches -- churches! VILLAGER #2: Lead -- lead! ARTHUR: A duck. CROWD: Oooh. BEDEMIR: Exactly! So, logically..., VILLAGER #1: If... she.. weighs the same as a duck, she's made of wood. BEDEMIR: And therefore--? VILLAGER #1: A witch!
 @ErichBritton That was such a funny movie. I'm going to have to watch that again....heheh.
Whatever one may believe about these taxes, the history is clear that when there is a cut to employee pay or an increase in taxes in this state and the word "temporary" is used---think "permanent" instead.
When I read the majority of posts like these, I can't help but think that Washington state voting really is fixed. After all Liberals by definition raise taxes. yet everyone of you complain about tax increases. Makes one wonder.Â
Seattle Apartment Trolls vote en masse for Democrats.
The rest of the State, not so much.
 @Attila I like my apartment. :)
 @Tax Revolt  @StSimeon  @Attila Rational adult conversations always include name calling lol
 @StSimeon  @Attila You just admitted to being a troll. No go crawl back under your rock and leave the real decisions to the adults. You are obviously to emotionally immature to make informed decisions.
Earth to planet poptart. Poptartians are you there? Rule of thumb. There is no such thing as a temporary tax. Planet earth out..
@snow surfer....Mork calling Orsen....c'min Orsen. Thanks for the comment....it applies and was well put!!
WoW 2 days in and the double talk beginsÂ
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Didn't take him long to "get comfortable"... Â
What makes you think this nut will change.
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Another TAX AND SPEND LIBERAL.
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You bet the 900 Million dollar deficit will be doubled by the end of his first term.Â
 @Tacobender50 I hear ya man, the cut taxes and increase spending Republicons are far better.
I have to agree with the Governor from a logical or technical standpoint, extending a tax is not really an increase. However, extending a temporary tax is dishonest and gives new fuel to any initiative that may come along to eliminate or reduce taxes. Dishonesty, corruption and incompetence is nothing new in Washington State Government, and the fact that on the second day in office the Governor makes this statement, proves that nothing will change in Olympia.
 @Alert Eagle Extending a tax that the people were told was to be temporary is actually lying to the taxpayers. Liars, in my book, are one step above child molesters.
@Alert Eagle Olympia or WA D.C.
'Inslee says he's not breaking his campaign promise eschewing taxes because he doesn't consider the extensions new taxes.'
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Weasel comes to mind!
The weasals are offended by your association of them with Inslee.
" taxes on beer and business taxes paid by doctors, lawyers, accountants and others."
It might look like the doctors and lawyers etc. should pay more but it is the OTHERS that get me. The OTHERS is everyone else! My business taxes went up 200% when this was put into place. I can not sustain this and stay in business. I don't mind helping out and paying my share but I do mind being sucked dry!
 This a typical progressive point of view. Passing a tax for ine purpose and keep extending it. Sign up for hearing notices .Today I received one about an upcoming hearing on a bill to license senior centers if they serve alcohol beverages at functions. previously you would get a "banquet permit" $10,now they want a license for $720Â
More proof that there is nothing more permanent than a temporary tax increase in WA. Nimrods like him justified it in the first place by saying "its only temporary."
Back by the popular demand (at least from the Seattle area) 4 more of the same old if it breaths-tax it, if it walks-tax it, if it moves-tax it, if it dies-tax the h$!! out of it! And you got it!!