Blogs Derek's Tax Blog Washington Disconnect
Here in Washington State we tax estates that are greater than $2 Million. At 19% our top estate tax rate is the higher than any other state. You could say that as a state, we like the estate tax. In fact, when given the choice to repeal it came up for a vote in 2006, the voters of Washington State overwhelmingly to keep it.
That is why it is somewhat surprising that our two U.S. Senators, Democrats Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray voted with Republicans on the Kyl / Lincoln estate tax amendment last week. Personally I am glad to see them break with their party’s leadership once and awhile, but judging from a survey of blog posts, I am in minority. Ouch! Examples: MorningFizz, ThatWashington, Donkeylicious, Putative, Horses, and letters to the editor at the Seattle Times.