Rick Steves, the well-known travel author and TV host from Edmonds, expressed his support for Washington’s newly enacted “millionaires tax” in a Facebook post on March 30, sparking significant public engagement. Accompanied by a photo of Steves holding an American flag, his message, “A Millionaires Tax? Let’s Try Shared Prosperity!” resonated widely, garnering over 11,000 reactions and numerous shares, including support from Governor Ferguson and Washington Senate Democrats.
The legislation imposes a 9.9% tax on individual income exceeding $1 million annually, aimed at financing expanded childcare services, free school meals for all students in Washington, and enhanced tax credits for numerous lower-income families. Steves, an advocate for progressive taxation, emphasized the importance of the tax in promoting public welfare and critiqued the state’s existing tax framework, which is often considered regressive and disproportionately burdensome for low-income residents.
Steves highlighted the necessity of revising Washington’s tax system, which is characterized by a reliance on sales tax and has faced criticism for its inequity. Democratic Representative Brianna Thomas, who supported the bill, acknowledged the complexity of the initiative, while Senate Democrats emphasized that “millionaires like Rick know that we all win with shared prosperity.”
As the state prepares for potential legal challenges based on a 1933 Supreme Court ruling that classifies income as property, Steves’ perspective illustrates a counter-narrative among some wealthy individuals, suggesting not all are fleeing to areas with lower taxes.
Why this story matters
- The legislation aims to address income inequality and fund essential services.
Key takeaway
- Support for the “millionaires tax” occurs among some wealthy individuals, challenging prevailing narratives around tax flight.
Opposing viewpoint
- Concerns persist about potential legal challenges and the impact of the tax on high-income residents’ decisions to remain in the state.
