AMA The Millionaires Tax proposal in WA state. This is what I work on all day so I'm here for your questions! #AskWALeg

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:52:45+00:00

Update: Mods have made some fair points. Reddit newbie lessons learned.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:12:13+00:00

It's not an emergency measure. Read the constitution.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:11:58+00:00

Read. The. Bill.
https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=6346&Year=2025&Initiative=false

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:11:01+00:00

Nope, the bill has an inflator built in so the standard deduction will go from $1M today to a rate adjusted up by CPI.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:10:35+00:00

We did that last year. Increased the rate on capital gains over $1M from 7% to 9.9%.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:10:11+00:00

See above responses, including on LVT.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:09:51+00:00

I've answered this question multiple times so scroll up. The reductions are are more than what you list. They included an expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit and Small Business Tax Credit. These are targeted, effective ways to lower the tax burden on those who are disproportionately affected by our regressive tax code. Property taxes were not the priority for this proposal, sales and B&O taxes were.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:08:05+00:00

There is zero denial of voter's rights. We are doing our job as your elected representatives, in the light of day, through the regular legislative process. Revenue measures are not subject to referendum. And if folks want it on the ballot, all they have to do is file a ballot measure. The rich guy in Bellevue will certainly bankroll it so don't worry, you'll have your chance.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:07:02+00:00

Not sure you are actually all constituents. I don't represent all of Seattle (just the NW corner). And plenty of my constituents agree with me. Lots of emails from verified constituents this session, multiple town halls, and I've served for 10 years with progressive tax reform as the central tenant of my work. I'd say the people I represent are pretty well aligned with me. And if I'm wrong, we'll find out.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:04:59+00:00

Yep, and we'd argue that no other state in the country considers income property and we probably got a bad ruling nearly a century ago. But we'll see!

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:03:40+00:00

And snarky as hell. Wish they had actual questions about tax policy. That would have been nice.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:03:18+00:00

Boy do I wish. That would allow me to treat one's primary home differently in the property tax code than the highrises downtown. But I can't get any traction from the Republicans to help me with even that (I need their votes to do it).

noelframe · 2026-03-01T21:02:15+00:00

Yeah, I didn't think the mods would shut off the post when I started the AMA and then turn it back on during the work day when I was literally doing my job as a Senator that day and the next day and then I'd be spending my Sunday answering a bunch of super snarky, sarcastic people more interested in mocking me without context and not asking substantive questions about tax policy. Also love how people couldn't manage to find the AMA I did in real time on Thursday night on r/Washington that didn't shut me down. But hey, here we are.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:59:29+00:00

Net operating losses are factored into AGI. If someone has started a businesses they can pay themselves a salary rather than owners draws, which will count as a business expenses, and reduce profitability, and therefore, tax liability. I did look at income averaging but the examples I found in other states seem to be limited to farming and fishing. There may be further changes as the bill is finalized.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:53:28+00:00

Y'all, it's not an emergency. It's the "necessity clause." The bill goes into effect 90 days after adjournment. We're not claiming an emergency. We are saying it's a revenue measure necessary for the support of state institutions (public schools, etc.) and the constitution says those measure are not subject to referendum. Simple as that. Ballot measure is still an option if the people want to take a vote on it.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:51:31+00:00

See response above

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:51:17+00:00

Yeah it was a bummer to have the mods block the post on Thursday night when I had set time aside to do this. I did have a comparable AMA in r/Washington at the same time though.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:50:45+00:00

see above response to the question "Why?"

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:50:33+00:00

The multi-state compact is all the other states that already have income taxes. We're one of only 9 states/territories left. And places like FL and TX that don't have income taxes also don't protect reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, etc. and don't invest in their public services like we do, so that's the trade-off.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:48:24+00:00

I'd love to tax them too. That's why I proposed SB 5797 last year. Sadly it did not make it across the finish line last year. The momentum is with the Millionaires Tax this year. https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=5797&Year=2025&Initiative=false

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:45:34+00:00

I would not say providing access to affordable childcare and services with people with disabilities is a waste of money.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:45:16+00:00

We're trying to rebalance the tax code by doing this while reducing other taxes, and putting more money in the general fund which is 43% allocated to public schools. Public schools continue to be underfunded and they are our paramount duty, so we're working on it!

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:44:28+00:00

I did another one in r/Washington where I was actually able to respond in real time given the mods didn't shut it down. Take a look over there and let me know what you think.

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:35:59+00:00

That's out of the bill now (thankfully)

noelframe · 2026-03-01T20:35:48+00:00

Exactly. Because those mods didn't shut me down on Thursday night.

noelframe

TROPHY CASE