Staff Reports
In a major power move that even George Washington would tip his tri-corner hat to, the voter advocacy group Let’s Go Washington has delivered nearly 425,000 signatures for Initiative 2124, a plan to let moms, grandmas, migrant workers, and other hardworking folks opt out of Washington state’s mandatory payroll tax for long-term care insurance. This tax has been haunting workers to the tune of 58 cents for every $100 they earn since July of last year. Folks are none too pleased about this insidious tax, which was supposed to kick in at the start of 2022, but due to the apprehension of smart lawmakers, it got delayed.
Let's Go Washington turns in 425K signatures allowing opt-outs from WA Cares https://t.co/2sFrYidojT
— The Center Square Washington (@TCSWashington) December 29, 2023
Now, the WA Cares Fund, meant to grace Washingtonians with $36,500 (adjusted for inflation) for long-term care insurance, won’t be available until 2026. The audacity! It’s no wonder Let’s Go Washington and the fine folks behind Initiative 2124 are fed up like a cowpoke at a vegetarian buffet.
Governor Jay Inslee announced that this payroll tax debacle would be delayed until April of this year, unless the Legislature decided to play hero and set a new date. Then, in a shocking turn of events, the governor stated he didn’t have the authority to delay the tax, leaving employers legally obligated to fork over the dough. Sounds like a classic case of political hot potato. Inslee later signed legislation to push the tax back until July 1, probably because he realized the good, honest citizens of Washington would not stand for this unjust grasp at their hard-earned dollars.
The founder of Let’s Go Washington, Brian Heywood, minced no words in front of the Secretary of State’s Office in Tumwater, proclaiming, “Democrats in Washington state have had 40 years to fix the darn system, but they can’t seem to get enough of your taxes to satisfy their huge greed.” Hallelujah, brother! Heywood continued to denounce the WA Cares program, calling it a “deeply flawed scheme” and likening it to an “abusive insurance scheme.” It’s like the folks behind Initiative 2124 are David and the WA Cares program is Goliath, and they’re not backing down without a fight.
Let’s Go Washington isn’t messing around, either. They’ve already submitted signatures for five other initiatives, including doing away with Washington’s cap-and-trade program, giving parents and guardians the right to veto questionable educational materials, removing restrictions on police officers’ vehicle pursuits, and nixing the capital gains tax. These initiatives aren’t just a Republican or Democrat thing either, according to Rep. Jim Walsh. The people signing these petitions come from all walks of life and political backgrounds.
