Feb 22, 2019  -  Business

SENATOR PHIL FORTUNATO

31ST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT - WASHINGTON STATE SENATE

360-786-7660     |     800-562-6000     |     P.O. Box 40431 Olympia, WA 98504-0431

 

 

For Release:                                                                           Media Contact:

Feb. 21, 2019                                                                          Laudan Espinoza – (360) 786-7504

                                                                                                           

 

Truth in government bill seeks to change state agency name

 

OLYMPIA… Taxpayer advocate and state Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, has introduced truth-in-government legislation that accurately portrays the work of a state agency.

 

Senate Bill 5925 would change the name of the state Department of Revenue to the Department of Taxation. The simple name change required an over-500-page bill.

 

“I was at a conference and learned that Hawaii is doing it right,” said Fortunato. “They have what’s called the Department of Taxation. I think we need more truth in government, so I sponsored this legislation to make it clearer to people what our state agency does.”

 

According to its mission statement, the state Department of Revenue seeks “to fairly and efficiently collect revenues and administer programs to fund public services and advocate sound tax policy.”

 

“The reality is that this state agency doesn’t generate revenue,” Fortunato said. “Revenue is what businesses and people generate from the sale of goods and services. This is a tax collection agency and their name should reflect that.”

 

The measure was referred to State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections committee.

 

###

 

For more information contact Laudan Espinoza at (360) 786-7504 or [email protected]

Share
Tweet
Share