Worship music and protest signs converge as demonstrators warn Washington’s proposed tax on the wealthy is a gateway to a state income tax.

OLYMPIA, Wash. — With less than a week left in the legislative session, hundreds of people gathered at the Washington State Capitol on Saturday to protest Democratic-backed proposals, including a 9.9 percent tax on people who make more than $1 million.

Less than one percent of Washington’s population would be affected, but Republicans say the proposal is a gateway to a state income tax.

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“I don’t believe it will stop at millionaires. It will continue to go lower and lower,” said Joann Tolentino, a demonstrator wearing a hat with the word “TRUMP” on it.

The legislation has already passed the Senate, and Gov. Bob Ferguson said he would sign the bill into law.

“Not good. Not good. [Democrats] have control,” Tolentino said.

Before noon, about 200 people demonstrated on the steps of the Legislative Building, playing worship music and espousing religious and political beliefs. The event was hosted by a local chapter of Turning Point USA, founded by political activist Charlie Kirk.

“We’re not here to curse Washington. No, we are here to call her back to her God-given purpose,” said Caden Vasquez, president of the chapter at Vector College in Wenatchee.

Vector College launched a two-year associate program with 56 students in September 2024. It is connected to Grace City Church.

The college’s website describes it as an “anti-woke Christian college” intended to form “stronger men and noble women to be high caliber Christians in all of life.”

“I look at Washington today. A once godly frontier has now turned into a festering pit of depravity,” Vasquez said.

State Republican Party Chairman Jim Walsh also spoke to the Christian demonstrators.

“The reason the far left wants a state income tax isn’t just for the money,” Walsh said. “They want control.”

“Think about what an income tax is,” he said. “An income tax requires you as the voter to report a lot of stuff about yourself — where you work, how much you make, any kind of investment income you have. You got to report a lot of stuff.”

Later, several dozen people gathered along the street waving signs opposing the millionaires tax.

“I’m infuriated,” said Sherie Suter, who owns a small electrical company with her husband.

“We don’t make anywhere near a million dollars. I still care because I know how hard it is to run a business,” she said.

Like many demonstrators at the event, Suter believes the millionaires tax would disincentivize companies from operating in Washington and lead to fewer jobs.

“It’s a slippery slope because what they’re not getting is the people that employ everybody out there — the millionaires,” she said. “I mean, Starbucks just opened up corporate offices in Tennessee.”