Oregon Public Broadcasting

In Olympia, Senate Democrats are backing off the idea of a state income tax on high-wage earners. But now there’s a new proposal: a temporary sales tax increase that would need voter approval.

Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown says the leading idea is a three-tenths percent state sales tax increase.

It would be coupled with rebate checks to families that make less than $41,000 a year.

Lisa Brown: “It would also include the working family’s sales tax rebate and the funds would be dedicated to healthcare and also nursing homes and some of the services for the elderly that have been reduced in this budget.”

Brown says support for this proposal is building, but emphasizes nothing has been decided for certain.

The Washington legislature has three weeks to pass a budget that closes a $9 billion shortfall. Adjournment is scheduled for April 26th.