WSNA urges voting NO on Initiatives 2124, 2109, 2117
The WSNA Board of Directors urges voting no on Initiatives 2124, 2109, 2117
October 14, 2024 • 1 minute to read
Initiative 2124
Initiative 2124 would effectively sabotage the Washington Cares plan designed to help Washingtonians afford long-term care.
The Washington Cares Fund is financed through a 0.58 percent payroll tax that began in July 2023; that is about $300 a year for someone making $52,000 annually. (Those who are self-employed can opt in.)
Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible workers can tap the fund to pay for some 40 different services — a maximum benefit of $36,500, adjusted for inflation.
Vote no on Initiative 2124 and prevent long-term care insurance companies getting even richer off aging, sick, or injured Washingtonians.
Initiative 2109
Initiative 2109 would repeal Washington’s capital gains tax, paid only by the wealthiest households.
This tax is paid by just 0.2 percent of all Washingtonians — that was 3,300 wealthy people in 2023. It is an excise tax imposed on certain long-term capital assets with capital gains of over $250,000.
If Initiative 2109 passes, more than $5 BILLION in funding for early education, childcare, K-12 education, and school construction over the next five years would be completely eliminated.
This funding has already helped prevent Washington’s childcare system from completely collapsing, avoiding the pitfalls that other states are currently facing.
Vote no on I-2109 — millionaires and billionaires do not need another tax break.
Initiative 2117
Initiative 2117 would repeal Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA), the law that currently requires polluters to pay for the climate-damage pollution they are emitting. Funding from the CCA supports clean energy projects, fare-free transit for Washington youth, and utility rebates for low- and middle-income households.
Voting no on I-2117 is critical for the health of our environment, our communities, and our future generations.