Washington: Governor Warns Child-Care Funding at Stake in High-Earner Tax Repeal Initiative
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said on October 20 at the José Martí Child Development Center in Seattle that child-care funding and other state services could be at risk if voters approve Initiative 645, which would repeal the state's tax on high earners.
The tax, scheduled to begin in 2029, applies a 9.9% rate to annual income above $1 million. Ferguson said repeal could leave a $13 billion gap in the state budget. Nearly 300 child-care programs across Washington have signed an open letter opposing the repeal.
Supporters of the initiative argue that the law does not explicitly bar future lawmakers from expanding the tax beyond millionaires, and urge voters to be wary. The measure will be decided by Washington voters at the ballot box.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Olympia 的华盛顿州议会大厦（立法大楼）。Roc0ast3r 摄，CC0 公共领域授权，经 Wikimedia Commons 发布。 / The Washington State Capitol (Legislative Building) in Olympia. Photo by Roc0ast3r, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
