BILL REQ. #:  S-4509.1 

Read first time 01/24/2006.   Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

     TO THE STATE OF WASHINGTON'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
     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 United States tax code has become increasingly complex and burdensome for American families and businesses; and
     WHEREAS, Congress has enacted 15,000 changes to the tax code since 1986 with each change resulting in more complexity and burdensome requirements on American taxpayers; and
     WHEREAS, Increased complexity and lack of transparency creates substantial uncertainty for taxpayers in figuring out their tax bill each year; and
     WHEREAS, The tax base has become increasingly diluted as tax deductions for particular economic activities received special preferences; and
     WHEREAS, American families and businesses in 2004 spent 3.5 billion hours filling out their tax forms, costing $150 billion just to ensure taxes were paid correctly; and
     WHEREAS, High marginal tax rates on income and investment penalizes work, savings, and investment; and
     WHEREAS, Multiple layers of double taxation on savings and investment coupled with increasing compliance costs is reducing economic growth, job creation, and household savings; and
     WHEREAS, Tax law changes have not kept pace with a growing and dynamic international economy, thus leaving American workers and businesses at a significant competitive disadvantage with foreign competitors; and
     WHEREAS, For America to continue to be a leader in the global economy, Congress needs to enact tax reform which greatly reduces compliance costs, eliminates double taxation of savings and investment, and taxes income one time at one rate;
     NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully request our elected Representatives and Senators in the United States Congress to support tax reform which moves to a system which greatly reduces compliance costs, eliminates double taxation of savings and investment, and taxes income one time at one rate.
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the state of Washington's Congressional Delegation.