The Washington Legislature has reignited one of the state’s longest-running political debates this session with a proposal to tax high-income earnings for the first time, pairing a new state income tax on millionaires with a contentious “necessity clause” that could limit voters’ ability to challenge the law at the ballot box.
The Washington Senate approved an income tax targeting those earning more than $1 million annually this week, but a provision shielding the measure from voter referendum has triggered a parallel fight over how, and whether, the public will get a say.
Senate Bill 6346, backed by Democratic leaders, would impose a 9.9% tax on personal adjusted gross income above $1 million beginning Jan. 1, 2028. First payments would be due in April 2029. Legislative staff estimate the tax would generate about $3.5 billion annually and affect roughly 30,000 taxpayers.
…Republicans attempted to remove the clause during Monday’s floor debate with an amendment sponsored by Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Mason. It failed on a 28-21 vote.
The Senate passed the bill, with the clause retained, in a 27-22 vote.