Why Working People are Struggling (Hint: It has Nothing to do with Government Waste)
EDITOR’S NOTE: SB 6346 (The Millionaires Tax) was signed into law on March 30th, 2026
Wealthy opponents of SB 6346, the proposed millionaires tax on extremely high earners, focus on government waste.
Fact: when adjusted for economic growth, Washington annual state spending was actually LOWER in 2023-2025 compared to 1995-1997 ($69.8 billion versus $79.8 billion, https://budgetandpolicy.org/state-budget-analysis/).
A functioning government needs adequate tax revenue to provide essential services and a solid safety net to protect the poorest who are paying more than their fair share. Our economy tilts the scale in favor of those who already have money by giving exemptions to wealthy corporations and allowing Wall Street profiteers to grow their stock portfolios without paying taxes.
Working people don’t get these breaks. They are instead dealing with unexpected medical bills, choosing between diapers and food, rent increases, and all the cuts from Trump’s HR1, which, by the way, is giving about $90K back to the top 1%.
This tax will not impact the safety or well-being of those who are fortunate enough to pay it.
It’s hard to feel sorry for someone who might have to choose a Maserati rather than a Lamborghini.
Author: Marisa D’Angeli
Marisa is a Retired Pediatrician & Epidemiologist who serves on WPSR’s Economic Inequity & Health Task Force. She submitted this letter to the editors of the Seattle Times.
