Rep. Hinkle against tax increases

OLYMPIA — Rep. Bill Hinkle, R-Cle Elum, pledged to vote against tax increases Monday.

He signed the Americans for Tax Reform’s State Taxpayer Protection Pledge. He is one of eight Washington lawmakers to sign the pledge.

“Tax increases should be off the table. Period,” Hinkle stated. “We have a governor who has a history of raising taxes and who is once again leaning in that direction. I think it is disingenuous to taxpayers for her to ask state agencies to prepare for another round of program cuts, while behind the scenes, she seems to be embracing tax increases.”

He stated citizens are struggling financially.

“Jobs are scarce, take home pay isn’t what it was a few years ago,” Hinkle stated. “We need to re-prioritize state government and focus our efforts on getting people back to work.”

— Staff report