Vote Yes On Prop 1: Access For All

Editor’s Note: This King County proposition wasn’t included in our original primary endorsements post, but better late than never! Vote by August 1st.

We endorse Prop 1: Access For All, the King County proposition with the goal of increasing art, science and heritage funding.

The measure continues our state and region’s unfortunate habit of relying on regressive taxation, adding to our already high sales tax. Specifically, it would raise the county’s sales tax 0.1% or by one cent per $10 spent. Essentials like food and prescription drugs would be exempt from this tax.

The campaign supporting Prop 1 addressed the tax equity issue: “Until both the Washington constitution and authorizing legislation are changed, we are limited to the sales tax to raise money for needed programs like Access for All.”

An equitable program with an inequitable funding source… Such is the life in Washington state, at least until we win the legal and political fights to pass state and local income taxes. We anxiously await the day King County can use an income tax to fund its progressive priorities–such as the homelessness levy ultimately kept off the ballot until over the protests of King County Councilmembers Gossett and Dembowski.

That said, it’d be unfair to deny the promising programs Access For All funds because of our state has royally screwed up its tax system. The benefits are many and targeted at disadvantaged communities.