Backers of a state income tax on high-wage earners brought 26,000 petition signatures to the secretary of state’s office Friday, bringing their total of submitted signatures above 380,000, which backers believe will be more than enough to place the measure on the November ballot.
Washington does not have an income tax. Initiative 1098 would create one for individuals with more than $200,000 in annual income, while reducing state property and business taxes, and generating an estimated $1 billion in new revenue dedicated to education and health care.
According to the secretary of state’s office, 241,153 valid signatures are needed to qualify a ballot measure. The office urges campaigns to submit at least 300,000 signatures.
This year, six petition campaigns submitted signatures to the office. State lawmakers also submitted three constitutional amendments to voters, including one that would adjust Washington’s general obligation bond debt limit to account for the federal subsidy provided for Build America Bonds.
