Guest Commentary

By Jason Mercier

The City of Battle Ground could soon join Spokane, Granger and Spokane Valley in banning a local income tax. At its July 19 meeting the city council will consider Resolution Number 21-07 (Regarding Opposition To A Local Income Tax On The Residents And Businesses Of The City, And Other Matters Relating Thereto.). Here is what Mayor Adrian E. Cortes told me about the resolution:

“There’s absolutely no reason to impose an income tax in our community. Period. This policy sends a clear message to our residents and small businesses that we’ve got your back.”

The resolution declares:

“The City Council hereby declares that the imposition of a local income tax on the businesses and residents of the City of Battle Ground is prohibited. Such a tax would be in direct conflict with the high value the City places on promoting economic development through the attraction and expansion of financially healthy, family wage-paying employers. Small businesses are the backbone of our local, regional, state, and national economy and it is imperative that the City not put unnecessary hurdles in the way of their success. As such, the Battle Ground City Council prohibits the imposition of a local income tax in the event a local income tax is determined legal and permissible by the Washington State Supreme Court or the Washington State Legislature.”

The lack of an income tax has long been advertised by the State Department of Commerce as being a “competitive advantage” for Washington. State voters have also made it consistently clear they don’t want an income tax. By affirmatively going on the record that the city will respect this message from voters by banning a local income tax, Battle Ground can continue to fully embrace and advertise that competitive advantage.

-Mercier is Director of the Center for Government Reform, Washington Policy Center.