"Income Tax Plan, Not Dead but Sleeping in the Senate"

Senate Democrats held a press conference this afternoon to discuss the high earners income tax. Majority Leader Lisa Brown says it won't move this session but may come back soon. Rich Roesler has a good account of the discussion.

This really is becoming more urgent every year," said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle. "Our tax system is really not only unfair, but it's also out of kilter. She said she'll introduce a bill in a day or two for a sales tax on gum and candy, with the money going to children's health care... But she also said that the bill is unlikely to go anywhere in the legislative session's final few days.

Not dead, just sleeping.

"The point is: we can't stop discussing this," said Kohl-Welles, who has repeatedly introduced bills to launch a state income tax.

Not sure that "cant stop talking about taxes" is a theme that sells well with a lot of Washingtonians.

Niki Sullivan at TVW's Capital Record blog has an excellent series of posts on the conference and will soon link to the video.

Brad Shannon's report on the press conference includes some insight into the thinking of House Democrats.

In the House, Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, said a caucus last night on four different taxes produced lukewarm interest, and she speculated that the caucus was tired. She said there appeared to be more enthusiasm for Rep. Hans Dunshee's jobs proposal, which is a $3 billion bond project to upgrade energy systems and improve safety at schools, universities and public buildings.

But Brown said she detects little support for a bond but that the Senate Democrats would consider a sales-tax proposal if the House can approve it.

Joe Turner writes in the Political Buzz that House leaders don't have the votes to pass the sales tax increase. And he includes a copy of the letter SEIU is distributing to legislators urging them to send the tax hike to the public. It's about what you'd expect: Bad things will happen without new revenues and, once properly educated, the public will support new taxes. Not convincing.

With just a few days left to adjournment, it's clear that Democrats can't find a tax plan that gathers majority support. It's time they quit looking for one.

UPDATE The Seattle Times is reporting that Rep. Eric Pettigrew, prime sponsor of the sales tax proposal, now says it's dead. (h/t Jason Mercier)