Gregoire Proposes Sales Tax Increase Print E-mail
capitol-olympiaHalf-cent increase expected to raise $494 million in 2013 fiscal year.

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire proposed raising the state's sales tax from 6.5 percent to 7 percent for three years in order to close a gap in the state's budget.

The state will face $1.7 billion in cuts to the budget when it convenes for a special session starting Nov. 28. Any tax increase will go to the voters on the March ballot and, if passed, would go into effect the following August.

The increase is expected to raise an estimated $494 million for the 2013 fiscal year. The total amount would be split among funding for education and long-term care and developmental disability services. Other money would go to public safety.

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