Washington Attorney General Discusses Income Tax Legality

The inquiry followed reports of multiple communications between the Attorney General's office and individuals including Jamie Peterson. Lawmakers questioned whether the office's guidance was used to advise on methods for bypassing the state constitution. Brown responded to these inquiries during a press conference held yesterday. The Washington Attorney General's office denied allegations that it attempted to bypass voters regarding a millionaires' tax. The Attorney General characterized the reporting of the office's actions as incorrect. The office stated that email communications showed officials were discussing how the state Constitution would not allow a referendum on the tax. Attorney General Nick Brown stated that the legislature has possessed the ability to impose a 1% income tax for decades but has never done so. He noted that the current 9% tax applies narrowly to individuals earning over one million dollars. Brown described any attempt to impose an income tax beyond current levels as potentially politically disastrous.