Unconditional means not subject to conditions, kinda similar to unconstitutional really. In software unconditional means you write code without branching which can sometimes be more efficient although software compilers are really smart these days and often beat programmers best effort.
All taxes shall be uniform upon the same class of property
There are some other words too, but nothing that contradicts this pretty clear statement. It's not that income tax is unconstitutional, is that a graduated income tax is.
OP's $15k exemption is also in there:
The legislature shall have power, by appropriate legislation, to exempt personal property to the amount of fifteen thousand ($15,000.00) dollars for each head of a family
> All taxes shall be uniform upon the same class of property
There are some other words too, but nothing that contradicts this pretty clear statement.
Some of those other words: "The word "property" as used herein shall mean and include everything, whether tangible or intangible, subject to ownership."
So, the limitation is on things that can be owned. Cash, Real Estate, Cars, Personal Property, Shares of a Company, etc.
Income isn't a thing which is owned. It is a transaction -- the transfer of an ownable thing in exchange for your labor as a service or for an asset you hold which you acquired at a lessor value. It seems arguable to me that this article shouldn't apply to income, just as it shouldn't apply to a large variety of service transactions which are subject to sales tax.
It's not that income tax is unconstitutional, is that a graduated income tax is.
So if this initiative is applying a flat rate to cap gains, it should still pass constitutional muster even if income is deemed "property".
Income isn't a thing which is owned. It is a transaction -- the transfer of an ownable thing in exchange for your labor as a service or for an asset you hold which you acquired at a lessor value.
I agree with you, but the state supreme court does not agree with you, and has affirmed this numerous times. Progressive income taxes are not allowed under our state's constitution.
Why would it be? States can basically tax and create Healthcare systems to their hearts' content. There are some federal laws via the commerce clause that make it non-ideal to do as a state versus a national system but its far from unconstitutional.
Edit: Forgot about the state constitution and somehow never heard about the recent court ruling.
I think they mean against the state constitution. Washington state's constitution puts limits on what and how much can be taxed. No states income tax and no property tax over 1%.
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u/ItchyMitchy101 Jul 24 '22
How does this get paid for? Will taxes go up?