just wanted to share this bit of info for all those nay sayers who wondered where this ranking came from...

http://www.taxfoundation.org/TFD99figure4.html

check it out.

-- no chance (kingoffools_99@yahoo.com), October 18, 1999

Answers

Saw that before, but the Tax Foundation is not the only source to consider. The Seattle P.I had an article October 4 that looked at other sources, including the federal government. They rate Washington as 8th, 13th, or 18th depending on how you do the calculation and what you are counting.

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), October 18, 1999.

Also saw an article a few days back ranking the taxload on the household in Washington somewhere in the thirties nationwide and dead last in the West. It kind of helps that Washington taxes businesses harder than its citizens. That Tax Foundation ranking just takes the amount of taxes taken in and divides it by the population. It doesn't take into account WHERE the taxes come

-- Patrick (patrick1142@yahoo.com), October 18, 1999.

Well, given the fact that taxes come from one place, and one place only: the people, I don't see what it matters how you calculate the 'where it comes from'. A friend of mine runs a small shipping and delivery company in eastern Wa. He pays $7000 PER VEHICLE in taxes. If this gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling, more power to ya. It doesn't give me a warm, fuzzy feeling all over-- to know that if I decide to become self employed that I just might be taxed out of it.

Oh, by the way, whoever's interested, I'm starting a new organization. It's called the VTSW: Voluntary Taxation System of Washington. It will be an organization that promotes the idea of those who don't think 'we' pay enough, can voluntarily write their checks to the state, directly. The first area of application of the VTSW would be the old MVET. Those people who don't want their taxes lowered, can pay the difference between the new $30 fee, and what they used to pay in mvet taxes. I keep hearing how unpopular this referendum 'REALLY' is, therefore, if it should pass by a 'narrow' margin, the near 50% of people who voted against it, can continue to write their check to the govt, once a year. Why, heck, they can even throw in a few extry bucks just so the feel extry compassionate. That way, the state won't lose the whole revenue block from the old mvet.

-- Paul C. Oss (jnaut@earthlink.net), October 18, 1999.

We don't have state income tax, so quit comparing us to states that do! If you like the tax system in another state by all means feel free to move. Washington, and especially Seattle are often rated "best place to...",it costs money to live in a nice place. If 695 passes, this won't be such a great place, but it will be cheaper...you get what you pay for!

-- please (growup@695.com), October 19, 1999.

I will continue to compare us to states that do have an income tax, especially when I come from a state which had a state income tax AND had a lower tax burden. Secondly, the tax system does not, repeat not make a place 'nice or not nice' to live in. We are not prosperous because we taxed into it. Washington is a great place to live IN SPITE of the taxation, not BECAUSE OF the taxation.

-- Paul Oss (jnaut@earthlink.net), October 19, 1999.

" If you like the tax system in another state by all means feel free to move."

We have the opportunity to make this state better by voting for I- 695. If you dont like the new tax structure, you can move.

-- Allan (ae_me@yahoo.com), October 19, 1999.

Its not about the tax structure. It is about what the taxes buy for us, and the political consequences of the initiative. Moving is always an option. You really always have three: Change it, live with it, or leave.

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), October 19, 1999.

"Its not about the tax structure. It is about what the taxes buy for us, and the political consequences of the initiative. Moving is always an option. You really always have three: Change it, live with it, or leave. "

so leave, Mr. dbvz

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), October 19, 1999.

Z

I think I may have seniority. You leave.

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), October 21, 1999.

Hey, it might just be easier if both of you leave.

-- Kent Pendergrass (kentp45@yahoo.com), October 21, 1999.