UW Regent Bill Gates Sr. and former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton will appear in “The Great State Income Tax Debate” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11 in Philip Hall at UW Tacoma. A reception will follow. John Burbank, executive director of the Economic Opportunity Institute, will serve in a supporting role for Gates.
This free event is now full but registration is being taken for a waiting list, and an overflow room is being sought.
Gates is the originator of Initiative 1098 that is on the ballot in the November election; Gorton opposes it. The measure would establish a tax on “adjusted gross income” (as determined under the federal internal revenue code) above $200,000 for individuals and $400,000 for married couples or domestic partners filing jointly; reduce the limit on statewide property taxes by 20 percent; and increase the business and occupation tax credit to $4,800. The tax revenues would replace revenues lost from the reduced levy and increased credit; remaining revenues would be directed to education and health services.
The debate is sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Tacoma-Pierce County, City Club of Tacoma, Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce and UW Tacoma’s Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. To register, go here.