Washington voters spoke up for kids in the 2024 election and roundly defeated I-2109, the ballot initiative that would have repealed our state’s capital gains tax and cut billions from early learning, child care, K-12 education and school construction. 

Our state’s capital gains tax has raised more revenue than expected to fund schools and early learning. However, a small group of ultra-wealthy individuals have decided that our children are not worth their dollars, and have filed an initiative to repeal the tax.

Children and families across the state have cause to celebrate today: The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that the capital gains excise tax is constitutionally valid.

Dr. Stephan Blanford provides an update on Quinn v. State of Washington, the case that will decide the fate of the capital gains tax, after attending the Supreme Court hearing on January 26.

Yesterday’s news that the Douglas County Superior Court struck down the capital gains tax is a setback for all who've worked tirelessly to fix our upside-down tax code and secure much-needed funding for early learning.

This July 1, kids and families across the state should begin to feel the effects of the Fair Start for Kids Act—the historic investment in early learning that state lawmakers passed during the 2021 legislative session.