Contact: Jason Mercier, Budget Research Analyst
(360) 956-3482

Washington "Cost of Government Day" comes four days later this year on July 13

Washington's "Cost of Government Day" comes on July 13 this year, four days later than last, giving our state the dubious ranking of second highest in the nation when it comes to government bills.

Cost of Government Day (COGD) marks the date the average citizen has earned enough to pay the cost of national, state and local government taxes and regulations. It is calculated each year by the D.C.-based Americans for Tax Reform (ATR).

Washington's COGD ranking contrasts sharply with recent reports that our state spending has not increased as rapidly as that of other states.

"It's not about how fast state spending is increasing compared to other states," said Jason Mercier, a budget research analyst for the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. "This is about hard-earned dollars being taken from taxpayers' pockets, whether through taxes, fees, or the cost of complying with regulations, and Washington ranks second in the nation."

The national COGD was July 1 this year. Connecticut, which will celebrate its COGD on July 18, is the only state with higher government bills than Washington.

Working to pay government's bills takes Americans longer every year as taxes and regulations take an increasingly large bite out of paychecks. But it has only been in the last four years that the half-year threshold of July 1 has been crossed, meaning many Americans keep less than half of their own hard-earned wages.

The average Washingtonian will have worked from January 1 until July 13 just to pay the cost of federal, state, and local government taxes and regulations.

"It's outrageous that citizens spend more than half the year paying government expenses," said Mercier. "We're about to celebrate Independence Day, but Washington citizens are still not free to call their money their own."

Washingtonians may well be forced to work even longer next year as state fees increase-in some cases more than double-and some lawmakers and state officials throw around ideas of a state income tax and increased transportation taxes. Senator Lisa Brown and the Office of Financial Management have both stated that the current budget deficit is a result of revenues not keeping pace with spending.

"The burden on Washington workers should be a wake-up call to lawmakers who believe taxpayers are to blame for not keeping up with state spending," said Mercier. "Government works for citizens, not the other way around."

Washington business leaders, including Boeing CEO Alan Mullaly, have identified burdensome regulations as one of the key factors creating the state's anti-business climate.

Read EFF's new Policy Highlighter ("Reining in the regulators")

Read ATR's full Cost of Government Day report

Read EFF's Policy Highlighter on Tax Freedom Day

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org