Our government’s tax system should foster entrepreneurship, capital investment, job growth, and overall economic expansion. And I will continue to fight to ensure our tax policies encourage investment in important priorities like renewable energy, infrastructure, education, and national security, while also promoting economic growth and business development.
When Washington state taxpayers file their federal income taxes each year, they are at a disadvantage because there is no state income tax to deduct from their federal returns. I have fought year after year to give Washington residents parity by enabling them to deduct the state sales tax on their federal income tax returns, and I will continue to fight to make the state and local sales tax deduction permanent. In 2008, I was proud to help push through legislation that extended the sales tax deduction provision through 2010.
I will continue to fight for tax reform that benefits the middle class, encourages energy efficiency, and helps promote economic development and the expansion of business opportunities.