Steve Ballmer, Jeff Bezos fund effort to defeat state income tax

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Guess I'm even more committed to voting yes now.
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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos have contributed $100,000 each to an effort to defeat an income tax on individuals in Washington state making more than $200,000. Initiative 1098 -- set for the November ballot -- has been a polarizing concept in the business and technology communities. That's due in part to the fact that Bill Gates Sr., the father of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, has emerged as one of the most vocal proponents of the income tax.

Initiative 1098 calls for a reduction in state property taxes and the elimination of the business and occupation tax for some of the state's smallest businesses. Proceeds from the income tax would be used for health services and public education, proponents argue.

The contributions of Ballmer and Bezos to the Defeat 1098 campaign provides a shot in the arm at a time when the rhetoric on the issue is starting to heat up.

Opponents are saying that I-1098 would be the largest tax increase in state history, adding that it could damage the business community by making it harder to recruit talent to the region. They also argue that the initiative could serve as a slippery slope, with an income tax eventually filtering down to all citizens.

http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2010/09/ballmer_bezos_fund_effort_to_defeat_state_income_tax.html

[pscot]

1. Why?

Don't they think a civil society is worth paying for?

[BallardWA]

2. Too bad they only have one vote each -

because everyone I know is voting for it. Our schools are in dire need of funding. You can't tighten the belt on a skeleton....

[golfguru]

3. Most people I talk to will vote against 1098