Read first time 01/21/2003.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     TO THE HONORABLE GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED:
     We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:
     WHEREAS, The federal tax reform act of 1986 put additional financial stress on the taxpayers of the state of Washington by eliminating the retail sales tax deduction; and
     WHEREAS, Taxpayers in other states may deduct major state taxes in determining federal income tax; and
     WHEREAS, Taxpayers of the state of Washington would realize substantial reductions in federal tax burdens if they could deduct retail sales taxes; and
     WHEREAS, Congress is in the process of considering tax reduction proposals; and
     WHEREAS, Congress could easily relieve the burden on taxpayers of the state of Washington by restoring the full retail sales tax deduction;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the United States Congress restore the deduction of retail sales tax under the federal income tax.     
     BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress from the State of Washington.