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We've hit zero on the countdown. Tomorrow, July 1, more than three million workers in Washington state will receive a pay decrease of 58 cents for every $100 earned. These workers, and future workers, will be required to pay into a state fund called WA Cares for all of their working years. They might — or might not — get a benefit someday for one of life's many possible needs — one that they might, or might not, need. Even if a worker does need long-term-care services someday, which is what the WA Cares Fund is for, he or she might not qualify under the state's parameters. (See more here.) The fund also faces solvency concerns. In some cases, the savings and investment will never come back to the worker. In some cases, low-income workers will actually pay for wealthier individuals' long-term-care needs. Paycheck-to-paycheck life just got harder for many. Other ways to help the state and individuals navigate the long-term-care needs facing our growing, graying population existed. It's unfortunate that a majority of lawmakers have decided harming workers was the leading option.
Read more about Washington Policy Center's take on the state's newest payroll tax here.