Income tax initiative petitions to be available May 17th

[eridani]

I-1077 was dropped to change wording so that domestic partners would not be disadvantaged. The new initiative is I-1098.

You can sign up with FUSE to have petitions mailed to you on May 17th http://fusewashington.org/

http://blog.taragana.com/business/2010/04/21/bill-gates-sr-announces-campaign-supporting-washington-state-income-tax-initiative-1077-52462/

Bill Gates Sr. is leading a new initiative campaign for a state income tax on wealthier residents, saying Washington’s current tax system is unfair and doesn’t supply a steady stream of money for important state programs.

Wednesday’s announcement sets up a bruising political fight in the fall — if the measure can make it onto the November ballot. Organizers will need to collect more than 240,000 valid petition signatures by July 2 to qualify Initiative 1077.

Gates, father of the Microsoft Corp. co-founder, is a longtime supporter of tax reform in Washington. He said the issue has been studied extensively without enough action.

“So today, this day, we’re going to do something,” Gates said.

I-1077 would tax couples with adjusted gross incomes greater than $400,000 annually, or incomes of more than $200,000 for individuals. Supporters say that represents the top 3 percent of earners in Washington.

It also would cut the state property tax by 20 percent and increase the business-and-occupation tax credit to $4,800.

The proposed initiative sets out two tax brackets. The first tax rate would be 5 percent of the portion of joint income that exceeds $400,000, or $200,000 for individuals. The tax would increase to 9 percent on the portion of income that exceeds $1 million for couples or $500,000 for individuals.

Advocates said it would raise about $1 billion per year for education and health programs.

[Salviati]

1. Thanks for the info

This is one petition I'll go out of my way to sign. Heck I'll probably get a form and badger my friends to sign it as well. The only other petition that I considered doing that for was the one to have Tim Eyeman declared a horse's ass...

[eridani]

2. Training session 5/22 in Seatle

YES on I-1098 Campaign

A training session has been scheduled for:

Saturday May 22, 2010 - 10:00 am
SEIU Local 6 Office
3720 Airport Way (near Tully/Brewery Buildings)
Seattle, Washington

Issue Debriefing and Signature Gathering Presentation scheduled for 10-11:30 am, practice deployment, deployment, and then back to the office for feedback/debrief session at 2:30 pm

[LeFleur1]

3. Safeguards?

Are there any safeguards in this bill that would prevent Representatives/Senators from widening the income tax to include more people AND are there any safeguards that protect citizens against ever rising sales taxes, fees, other taxes on top of the income tax?

I would vote for a state income tax in a heartbeat if there were safeguards against adding on sales taxes, property taxes, and God knows what other taxes. I won't vote for a State Income Tax bill without such safeguards.
It's opening the back door to a state income tax on all citizens with no protections against all of the other taxes we are now paying.

[ManiacJoe]

5. No such thing as safeguards.

Any promises made verbally during the passage campaign can be ignored. Any limits that make it into law can be changed by the legislature.

Remember when seatbelt tickets were promised to be a secondary offense?

[eridani]

6. Yes. State property taxes will be reduced by 20%

The B&O tax will be eliminated for 80% of small businesses. If you want an income tax, why not start out supporting an initiative that is about just that?

[eridani]

4. Kickoff 5/19 in Seattle

The time has come for real progressive tax reform in Washington State! We can do it this year with a statewide grassroots effort to qualify I-1098--which would cut the state property tax 20 percent, eliminate the B&O tax on small businesses, and impose a modest income tax on the wealthiest three percent--for the November ballot.

Please join us at our campaign kickoff party!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 19th 6:30-9:00pm
1914 N. 34th St., Seattle, 5th floor view deck
Suggested donation: $25

This is the perfect opportunity to get involved. In addition to discussing strategies to qualify for the ballot and move forward to victory in November, attendees will have opportunities to sign up for our training and signature gathering kickoff on May 22nd as well as many other fun signature gathering mobilizations!

Initiative 1098 will finally bring real progressive tax reform to Washington State. We know we can get the signatures and the resources we need to succeed because the public supports real tax reform to benefit the middle class and small business.

We'll see you tomorrow!


Launch Party Wednesday, May 19, 6:30-9:00pm : Our campaign office has a spectacular view, a view that shouldn’t go to waste. Join us at an office warming fundraiser and enjoy refreshments and lights snacks while enjoying an expansive view of Lake Union and downtown. We’ll be waiting at 1914 N. 34th St., Seattle, 5th floor. ( MAP) Spread the word. Suggested donation of $25 dollars. To RVSP, please visit our Evite.


Briefing & Training Saturday, May 22 @ 10am : Please send staff and members to the 1098 kick-off Briefing & Training. We’ll be joined by a special guest. Following the training, we will deploy folks for a short signature gathering shift. We’ll test a few different raps in the field! RSVP by visiting Evite. The training will be at SEIU Local 6, 10 am at 3720 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98134.

[eridani]

7. Bellingham training

Are you as exited as I am -- to imagine Washington state's small businesses, and property owners, and education, and basic healthcare, O MY!, all getting tax breaks and benefits? It's all because of a proposed shift in taxation to tax extremely high income wealth.

It's Initiative-1098. Once called 1077, but renamed to 1098.

Possibly you will like to be involved in collecting 10,000 signatures in Whatcom County by June 24th (best goal) and not later than July 2 (deadline) in order to get this Initiative on the November ballot.

The Bellingham kick-off info is further down at the bottom of this email.

The 8 to 1 span of time on Saturday includes a training session from 8-9 and then clipboarding/petition collecting from 9 am to 1 pm.

You can help put middle-class tax cuts, job creation and dedicated education and healthcare funding on the ballot in November.

320,000 signatures must be collected state-wide by June 24 (best goal) and not later than July 2.

So far, both Whatcom Democrats and United For National Healthcare endorsed this initiative last week.

I-1098 ALSO lowers property taxes across the state by 20%.

Both of these lower the tax burden of the middle economic class of Washingtonians.

I-1098 taxes the "after-deduction" Adjusted Gross Income - from all sources, including capital gains sources - reported on the federal income tax return by our state's very wealthiest people, at the rate of 5% over $200,000 for individuals and 9% over $400,000 for couples.

I-1098 will raise $1 billion annually for the state as long as wealthy people like to live here. The money will go 70% to education and 30% to basic healthcare. This will never change except by vote of the entire Washington people.

I certainly hope wealthy people won't move out because their very highest income is taxed 5% or 9%.

The 8 to 1 span of time below includes a training session from 8-9 and then clipboarding/petition collecting from 9 am to 1 pm.

Bellingham Volunteer Kick Off!!!
Date: Saturday, May 29, 2010
Time: 8:00am - 1:00pm
Location: Whatcom County Democrats Office
Street: 215 W. Holly Street, Suite B-27
City/Town: Bellingham, WA

This 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. span of time includes a training session from 8-9 and then clipboarding/petition collecting from 9 am to 1 pm.

Could you think about coming?

For more information, to to Yeson1098.COM, and open and study the stuff in the LEARN MORE drop-down tab there at http://www.yeson1098.COM and look on the Facebook page for news and commentary.


Bye,
Jean
360-738-3137 (HOME PHONE) In case you can't come but want to do something to help locally

[hamerfan]

8. Thanks, eridani

I will sure try to make it, even though I'm now about 20 miles north of B'ham these days. (And lovin' it).
hamerfan

[eridani]

9. New online tool helps you to find and create signature gathering events

We have some exciting new tools to share with you.


We have only a few short weeks to gather the 241,153 valid signatures we will need to qualify for the November ballot. Thanks to your efforts we are well on our way to reaching that goal. If you can join us this weekend, sign up to help at the Folklife festival here.


If you can't make it this weekend, we have also developed a tool that will let you see all the festivals and community gathering places where activists like yourself are already gathering signatures as well as create and publicize your own plans for signature gathering.


Its pretty cool technology, so take a look here: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6292/p/salsa/event/common/public/search.sjs?distributed_event_KEY=268


We have tried to make our system as straightforward as possible, you can either find a signature gathering event you want to join or create your own. Our program gives you the ability to invite your friends and customize your own events. Events you create will also be visible to anyone who visits our website and wants to get involved.

If you have any trouble using our tool, you can always contact the campaign at 206-225-4610 or by reaching out to Erik@ {at} yeson1098.com

Here again is the link to check out what has already been planned or plan your own signature gathering event: http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6292/p/salsa/event/common/public/search.sjs?distributed_event_KEY=268

Thanks for all you do, with your help we will turn in enough signatures by July 2nd and then win in November!

-Kelly Evans, I-1098

[eridani]

10. Bill Gates Sr to speak at UW commencement--great signature gathering opportunity

I-1098 champion, Bill Gates Sr., is giving the University of Washington commencement address to 40,000 students and their families on Saturday.

Students, their parents and thousands of other potential initiative signers will be streaming into Husky Stadium all day.

Can you join us to gather signatures at tables like we did at the Sounders game on Saturday?

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6292/p/salsa/event/common/public/index.sjs?event_KEY=17469

Our public education system will be the primary beneficiary of the almost one billion dollars of new revenue generated by Initiative 1098. What better time to ask people to establish a more stable source of education funding?

Bill Gates Senior has worked long and hard to help bring 1098 to the voters. We need you to commit a few hours to help get the 241,153 VALID signatures we will need to be on the November ballot by June 25th.1

Since parking will be VERY hard to come by at the graduation, we will be meeting at our field office in Fremont (MAP) and carpool over to the graduation with our tables and materials.

Can you join us starting at 10am for the morning shift or at 3:30 for the afternoon shift? Sign up below:

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6292/p/salsa/event/common/public/index.sjs?event_KEY=17469

We know that with your support we will gather thousands of signatures and educate the public on the many benefits of Initiative 1098.

Thank you for your support.

Can't make it on Saturday? How about joining us at the Sounders game on Thursday? Click below:

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6292/p/salsa/event/common/public/index.sjs?event_KEY=17505


- Kelly Evans and the entire team at 1098.

1 We are working to collect 325,000 total signatures that we will start verifying a week before the deadline to turn in signatures to the Secretary of State.



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© 2010 by Washingtonians for Education, Health Care and Tax Relief • PO BOX 1077, Seattle, WA 98111 • [phone]

[eridani]

11. Help needed on Pride weekend.

Good news. We have gathered 285,000 signatures.

We are NOT done. Our goal is to gather 325,000 signatures.

Please return any signatures you have to the campaign as soon as possible. We will start verifying the signatures gathered so far this weekend.

Can you help gather signatures at the Seattle Pride events this weekend? If you can join us on Saturday for the Capitol Hill Pride Festival click here
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6292/p/salsa/event/common/public/index.sjs?event_KEY=17790

and if you can help work the parade lines on Sunday downtown click here. http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6292/p/salsa/event/common/public/index.sjs?event_KEY=17745

Gathering signatures while people wait for parades to start is a really effective strategy. So join us Sunday morning at Westlake Park downtown. Gathering thousands of signatures this weekend will make sure we have a large cushion before we submit signatures to the Secretary of State before July 2nd.

Thank you for your work,

Kelly Evans, Yes on 1098

[eridani]

12. Going to the Vancouver convention? Turn in petitions at Yes on 1098 hospitality suite

Are you attending the 2010 Washington State Democratic Convention this weekend in Vancouver?

If so, or if you are in the Vancouver area, come by our hospitality suite at the Vancouver Hilton Room 439 on June 25th (Friday's convention headquarters) to turn in completed petitions, help gather last minute signatures, and get an update on the campaign.


Petitions, signs and other Yes On 1098 materials will be available as well as Washington Microbrews, Wine and light appetizers. Hospitality Suite signs and schedules will be posted in the Hilton hotel lobby, but if you have any difficulties call our convention representative, Chase Gunnell, at 206-465-8591.

Click here to let us know you will be coming: Yes On 1098 Hospitality Suite, Room 439 5 -11 pm.


Not heading to the convention? Then join us for a shift at the Pride Festival this weekend in Seattle on Saturday by clicking here or on Sunday by clicking here.

Remember, petitions MUST be postmarked to PO Box 1077, Seattle WA 98111 by June 25th or hand delivered to our Campaign Office in Seattle at 1914 N 34th St, Suite 408 by June 30th.


http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6292/p/salsa/event/common/public/index.sjs?event_KEY=17764

[eridani]

13. Get them all in by Tuesday the 29th

We are submitting signatures to the Secretary of State on Thursday at 9am. If you still have petitions to return, either drop them off at our campaign headquarters (MAP) or give us your information with the link below and we will come pick them up from you on Tuesday.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6292/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=3622

We are in the home stretch but we need to work hard in the final days to make sure 1098 qualifies with our campaign goal of 325,000 signatures. So far we have counted 310,000 signatures.

If you want to join other volunteers and Bill Gates Sr. as we submit signatures on Thursday in Olympia sign up here: https://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6292/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=17838

Our opposition now knows we are serious. The opponents of middle class tax reform will stop at nothing to maintain Washington's unfair tax system. As you can see on the Public Disclosure Commission website here. Our opponents will be raising a lot of money to confuse people about this initiative and say it will hurt our economy when in fact 1098 will help create jobs and make our tax system more fair.

Can you make a small contribution today to make sure we get off to a good start? Click here: https://www.upwardstech.net/yeson1098

Thank you for all your support and I can't wait to see you at the volunteer appreciation party on July 15th.

-Kelly Evans, Yes on 1098

[eridani]

14. Looks like it's over the top. Now we just have to get people to vote for it

Today, the Yes on 1098 campaign is submitting 370,000 signatures to the Secretary of State. This remarkable show of support virtually guarantees that a high-earner's income tax will be on the ballot in November.

Not only that, but we shattered our organizational goal for signatures. As we pass this first milestone, we need to recognize the fantastic Fuse members who helped bring us this far.

From Mimi, Adele, Maggie, and the rest of the team who helped us mail thousands of petitions across the state - to Gloria, Rick, Dennis, Thalia, and others who collected thousands and thousands of signatures - to Nancy and Murali and everyone else who funded this work . . . we couldn't have gotten this far without you.

But this fight is just beginning. Conservative opponents have already raised almost $300,0001 to oppose the measure, and the Seattle Times editorial page has extended their anti-government, anti-tax campaign to I-1098.2

To defeat these entrenched interests, Fuse is assembling an all-star team of volunteers and activists across the state who are determined not to let this opportunity slip by. Click below to sign up for the Fuse Election Action Team and help pass I-1098 in November.

http://www.fusewashington.org/page/s/electionvols

For the last two years, the progressive community has been playing defense during this recession. At a time when Washington residents have needed state services the most, the legislature has slashed funding to the bone. In 2009, they cut 35,000 members of our communities from Basic Health3 and increased tuition for colleges and universites by 14%4. This isn't a path to the future we want.

We can't wait any longer to reform our regressive tax system. Initiative 1098 would provide dedicated funding for education and health care - Washington's top policy priorities - while finally bringing progressive change to our tax system.

Can you help us make sure that I-1098 passes in November? Click below to sign up!

http://www.fusewashington.org/page/s/electionvols