Upside-down tax code

Our upside-down state tax code is described as the nation’s worst, with our regressive sales tax providing half our revenues while the poor pay seven times the rich.

Part of our problem lies in unnecessary tax breaks. Remember when Boeing “promised” to build its airplanes in Washington if it just got a substantial tax break? Remember what happened when the Legislature delivered? Boeing moved its newest plant to the South, breaking its promise.

It is sobering that our tax code contains many similar, unfair tax breaks. We give away millions of dollars that we could use to help fund our priorities, including a robust education system for our children and grandchildren.

What could we repeal to help achieve that goal?

Democrats in the state House have identified at least five tax breaks that could be closed, including the extracted fuel exemption and the real estate tax exemption for banks on foreclosed homes.

As a Spokane taxpayer, I expect our legislators to look carefully at these tax breaks. They should analyze the cost and whether they are out of date.

I’d assume that out of the 694 tax breaks in Washington that legislators could find more than five to repeal.

Karen D. Steele

Spokane