A group spearheading the effort to eliminate Washington state’s capital gains tax achieved a significant milestone last week. Let’s Go Washington, the driving force behind this initiative, submitted a petition containing over 420,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office. This development marks a crucial step forward in the group’s mission to challenge legislation enacted by the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
Let’s Go Washington is pursuing six different initiatives, all of which are aimed at pushing back against recent legislative decisions. Their ultimate objective is to have all six initiatives included on the November 2024 ballot, allowing the people of Washington to voice their opinions and potentially shape the direction of the state’s policies.
One of the initiatives submitted by Let’s Go Washington seeks to provide individuals with the option to opt out of the long-term care program established by the WA Cares Act. This particular initiative has raised concerns among advocates for the program who argues that allowing individuals to opt out of the program could have fiscal implications that undermine its effectiveness.
The WA Cares Act, which was passed by the Legislature and signed into law, aims to establish a long-term care program in Washington state. The program is designed to provide affordable and accessible long-term care services for individuals who need assistance with daily activities due to age, disability, or chronic illness. The inclusion of an opt-out provision in one of the initiatives puts the program’s financial stability at risk, according to Gomez.
The efforts to repeal the capital gains tax and other initiatives by Let’s Go Washington reflect a broader trend of citizen-led campaigns challenging the decisions made by elected officials. As Washington state grapples with the implications of new legislation, it is clear that there are differing perspectives on how to address key issues, such as taxation and long-term care.
While Let’s Go Washington’s initiatives have gained momentum with the submission of a substantial number of signatures, their ultimate success will depend on factors such as public support and the outcome of legal and political processes. The November 2024 ballot will serve as a crucial battleground for these initiatives, with voters having the final say on their fate.
