States Target HIgh Earners

Stateline.org reports that eight states boosted income taxes on their top earners this year. In addition to Connecticut,

Delaware, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Wisconsin also raised income taxes on their top earners this year; California lawmakers raised income taxes on all earners.

In our state Senate, Washington lawmakers considered the idea. It'll be back. Across the country, there's a partisan divide.

In all eight states that have raised income taxes on their top earners this year, majority Democrats muscled through the increases, arguing that wealthier residents can afford to pay a higher share of their income in taxes — particularly during a recession that, in many states, has crippled basic state services for the poor, including health care.

But Republicans have pounced on the tax hikes, accusing Democrats of “class warfare” by singling out those with higher incomes and predicting that top earners will react to the tax increases by taking their business elsewhere: that is, by fleeing to tax-friendlier states.

We strongly opposed tax hikes during a recession, a position here that fortunately enjoyed the support of a Democratic governor. It's the right approach.