Gov. Inslee Calls Tax System an ‘Old Jalopy’

In discussing his supplemental budget this week, Gov. Jay Inslee said the state's tax system is outdated and unable to supply the necessary revenue to support state programs.

According to Northwest Public Radio, Inslee said:

And as a result of the antiquated fiscal situation in the state of Washington, the demands for services by our citizens are significantly outstripping the ability of this old jalopy to produce the mechanism for providing those services."

Inslee said he wants to go after what he calls "unproductive" tax loopholes. In the last budget battle Inslee favored a plan that would essentially raise taxes by phasing out numerous tax breaks for a broad spectrum of businesses and industries across the state.

A group of legislators known as "The Senate Coalition," prevented this from happening. 23 GOP and 2 Democratic senators were able to shoot down the plan, and the state ended up passing a budget that left most of these breaks intact.

Senate Budget Chairman Andy Hill, a Republican, said raising taxes would be the "easy" way to increase revenue. However, he prefers pursuing non-traditional revenue and pointed to the money the state hopes to get from marijuana sales.

Inslee this week claimed that money won't make much difference for the state.

Inslee's proposals are likely to again meet stiff resistance from Republicans.