Ken Jennings Pushes Washington Income Tax Lies on Voters

Clear Facts

• Ken Jennings stars in a No on 645 television ad that claims the repeal would give millionaires a $13 billion tax break.
• The state has never collected the 9.9% tax on income above $1 million signed by Governor Bob Ferguson in March.
• Public employee unions have poured $11.5 million into the campaign to keep the tax.

The liberal Jeopardy! host stars in a new television ad that misleads Washington voters about Initiative 645.

The measure would repeal the 9.9% income tax on earnings above $1 million that Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson signed on March 30.

“Did you know Initiative 645 would give millionaires and billionaires a $13 billion tax break, making Washington’s unfair tax system, where working families pay three times more than the wealthiest, even worse?”

Jennings opens the ad with this claim, but the state has never collected a dime from the tax.

The fiscal impact statement lists the projected revenue loss at $11.4 billion across fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

“Or that teachers, nurses, and small businesses all oppose 645?”

Jennings also claims broad opposition from teachers, nurses, and small businesses.

The largest donors to the No campaign are the Washington Education Association at $3 million, the Service Employees International Union at nearly $2 million, and the Washington Federation of State Employees at more than $1 million.

“This law puts small business owners in our state directly in the crosshairs, while exempting most big businesses.”

Elizabeth Milito, executive director of the Small Business Legal Center, warned that the tax targets pass-through businesses.

Republicans tried to restrict the tax to millionaires only, but Democrats rejected the amendment and added language to tax pensions as well.

Washington voters have rejected income taxes 11 times since 1932.

Democrats attached a necessity clause to block a referendum and used the state Supreme Court to uphold the maneuver.

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