About us
Balance Our Tax Code is a coalition made up of more than 80 labor unions, non-profits, immigrant rights advocates, human service providers, housing advocates and activists.
Together, we work to educate, advocate, shape public opinion, and pass laws until we have a tax code that supports a way of life that works for all of us, not just the wealthy few.
Our vision is a more just and equitable tax code for Washington state that creates a strong future where all communities have the resources they need to thrive.
Our Policy Principles
Racial Equity
Tax policies should proactively create equitable access to a high quality of life and resources for communities of color — especially Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities.
Fund our Future
Our tax system should raise new, long-term revenue to bolster and sustain funding for our current needs as well as build reserves for future times of struggle.
Budgets Are Moral Documents
The state budget is not just about numbers and spreadsheets; it matters on whose backs the budget is balanced. We believe in a balanced budget that meets needs across all communities of our state, and we believe everyone should pay their share.
Progressivity
Tax policies should ensure that those with great amounts of wealth in Washington do right by Washingtonians. Those with more income and wealth should contribute a larger share of their resources to support our our shared wellbeing than those with less.
Economic Justice
Tax policies should reduce the burden of our upside-down tax code on low-income and BIPOC households. Policies should create new, robust funding sources for the things we all rely on – like vibrant schools, roads, and bus systems.
Our Leadership
Emma Scalzo is the Executive Director of Balance Our Tax Code. Emma originally joined the coalition as a member back in 2019, as an advocate of affordable housing in King County. Since then, she managed coalitions for federal and state healthcare efforts. Emma is excited to serve BOTC, promote tax justice in our state, and play the world’s tiniest violin for all Washington’s billionaires.
Testimonials
"We're deeply aligned with BOTC because we know a multiracial democracy isn't possible without a balanced tax code that works for working people."
"Rural Washingtonians want the good jobs, housing, health care, and education that are possible with a non-regressive tax system. That is why we fight with BOTC for impuestos a los ricos."
"We love working with Balance Our Tax Code at the Bus because economic justice is critical for young people and our collective futures and communities."
"The tech boom in Washington can and should benefit all residents. We want a fair system where the wealthiest, including many in our industry, pay the taxes they owe."
"Transformative wins only occur when organizations and people with lived experience come together. And maybe no issue is more important than reforming our unjust taxing structure."
Our Members
- Alliance for Gun Responsibility
- American Federation of Teachers Washington
- Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition
- Asian Counseling and Referral Services
- Black Lives Seattle-King County
- BrightSpark Early Learning Services
- Building Changes
- Child Care Aware of Washington
- Child Care Resources
- Children’s Alliance
- Children’s Campaign Fund Action
- Communities for Our Colleges Coalition
- Community Health Plan of Washington
- Community Passageways
- Economic Opportunity Institute
- Equity in Education Coalition
- Essentials First
- Faith Action Network
- Financial Empower Network
- Firelands Workers United/Trabajadores Unidos
- Food Lifeline
- Free the Vote Washington
- Front and Centered
- Fuse Washington
- Habitat for Humanity Seattle – King County
- Health Care is a Human Right Coalition
- House Our Neighbors
- Housing Development Consortium
- Housing Hope
- Indivisible Eastside
- Indivisible South Puget Sound
- Indivisible Tacoma
- Invest in Washington Now
- Latino Community Fund
- League of Education Voters
- League of Women Voters of Washington
- Legal Voice
- Mockingbird Society
- MomsRising & MamásConPoder
- National Organization for Women, Seattle Chapter
- National Organization for Women, Washington
- Northwest Harvest
- Northwest Health Law Advocates
- Northwest Progressive Institute
- OneAmerica
- Open Doors for Multicultural Families
- Partners for Our Children
- Partners for Social Change
- Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
- Pro-Choice Washington
- Quaker Voice of Washington
- Real Change
- Rural People’s Voice
- Seattle Education Association
- Seattle Human Services Coalition
- Seattle Indivisible
- Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness
- SEIU 775
- Sound Generations
- Southwest Washington Equity Coalition
- Stand for Children Washington
- Statewide Poverty Action Network
- Tech 4 Housing
- Tech 4 Taxes
- The Sierra Club
- The Washington Bus
- Transit Riders Union
- Wallingford Indivisible
- Washington Budget and Policy Center
- Washington CAN
- Washington Community Alliance
- Washington Education Association
- Washington Federation of State Employees
- Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network
- Washington Indivisible Network
- Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
- Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
- Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP
- Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Washington State Community Action Partnership
- Washington State Labor Council
- Washington State Nurses Association
- Washington Student Association
- Washington Youth Alliance Action Fund
- Washington’s Paramount Duty
- Whole Washington
- Working Families Party
- Working Washington
- YouthCare
- YWCA Works
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