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We need to defend our ability to secure raises and our state’s childcare and schools.

Vote NO on I-2109, which would repeal the capital gains tax—a tax paid only by the richest 4,000 households in Washington—and eliminate billions in revenue for schools, early learning, and childcare.  

Without the capital gains tax, school construction, childcare, and early learning will come out of the general budget instead. That’s where our raises come from, and the smaller the pool is, the tougher our contract fights will be.  

The wealthy few don’t need our help—but parents, kids, and communities do.  

What is the Capital Gains Tax? 

“In Washington, more than 99.8% of tax filers do not profit enough from capital gains to require a capital gains tax payment.“ — NO on I-2109 Campaign 

As working families struggle to make ends meet with ever-increasing costs of living, the ultra-rich are making an attempt at repealing the excise tax that goes directly to schools. This special fund takes pressure off the general budget while helping to support families and kids. 

This tax has exemptions that make it apply to the super-wealthy, not working folks. Homes, retirement savings, college savings, and farmland are all exempt from the capital gains tax, and it has a $250,000 threshold.  

What’s at Stake? 

Despite fewer than 4,000 households having enough wealth for this tax to apply to them, the capital gains tax brought in nearly $900 million in revenue in just a year.  

That relieves a huge burden on the general budget, which is the same pool of money that provides public employees’ salaries and raises.  

Tonya, a WFSE Local 1221 member who works in the Early Learning Center at the Community Colleges of Spokane

As the cost of living soars, it’s increasingly difficult for families to find childcare.  

“Child care costs have spiked 220% since 1990, and the crisis is especially acute in Washington state. It has the fifth-highest average weekly cost of child care in the nation.” —KUOW 

Our members working in early learning centers can certainly attest to the childcare crisis. It’s why they’re already deep in the fight to protect quality resources for families, as well as their jobs. 

WFSE members protesting the planned closing of the early learning center at Everett Community College

The excise tax that Washington’s ultra-wealthy are currently paying is also helping to meet budget shortfalls for school districts across the state. If we eliminate it now, they will be left abruptly in the lurch. This could even lead to new property tax levies.  

Without that revenue, it’s also likely that the funding for schools, early learning, and childcare will have to come out of the general budget. The general budget is where our salaries and raises come from. 

 I-2109 Threatens Our Compensation

Each contract, our elected bargaining teams come to the table to fight for the raises our members desperately need to make ends meet. When we’re met with opposition, it’s always justified with a nod to the general budget and claims that there just isn’t enough money.

But we know that every community in Washington would grind to a halt without safe roads, clean water, and the many other services public employees provide. Our state needs us.

Let’s not let the uber-rich strain the general fund that provides our salaries and raises even further.  

As public employees, our involvement in the political process is crucial. We have to be cognizant of the way our state accrues and spends revenue, and to stand up for what’s right.  

Defending What We’ve Won 

Our union played an important role in the unprecedented statewide coalition that led to the establishment of the capital gains tax. Now is no time to roll the clock back. We worked hard to pass this legislation that’s helping to balance our tax code, and we need to show up to defend it. Our union has voted to endorse the NO on I-2109 Coalition. 

We need to do everything we can to defend what we have won and lessen the pressure on the general fund.  

When it comes down to it, we are trying to stop the rich from eliminating a tax that applies only to them, and enormously benefits working people. Let’s show up to defend this critical measure that is helping to close the wage gap and supporting working families across the state.