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
American Federation of Teachers Washington
Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition
Asian Counseling and Referral Service
BrightSpark Early Learning Services
Building Changes
Child Care Aware of WA
Children’s Alliance
Children’s Campaign Fund
Communities for Our Colleges Coalition
Community 2 Community Development
Community Health Plan of Washington
Economic Advisory Council
Economic Opportunity Institute
Essentials First
Faith Action Network
Financial Empower Network
Firelands Workers Action
First 5 Fundamentals
Food Lifeline
Front and Centered
Fuse Washington
Habitat for Humanity Seattle – King County
Health Care is a Human Right WA
House Our Neighbors
Housing Consortium of Everett and Snohomish County
Housing Hope
Indivisible South Puget Sound
Indivisible Wallingford
Invest in Washington Now
Latino Community Fund
Lavender Rights Project
League of Education Voters
League of Women Voters of Washington
Lilac City Early Learning Center
Mockingbird Society
MomsRising & MamásConPoder
National Organization for Women Seattle Chapter
National Organization for Women WA
North Seattle Progressives
Northwest Health Law Advocates
Northwest Progressive Institute
NW Harvest
OneAmerica
Open Doors for Multicultural Families
Partners for Our Children
Partners for Social Change
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Pro-Choice Washington
Progress Alliance
Quaker Voice on Washington Public Policy
Real Change
Rural People’s Voice
Seattle Education Association
Seattle Indivisible
Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness
SEIU 775
Sierra Club
Social Venture Partners
Sound Generations
Southwest Washington Equity Coalition
Stand for Children Washington
Statewide Poverty Action Network
SW Accountable Community of Health
SW Equity Coalition
Tech 4 Housing
Tech 4 Taxes
The Native American Youth and Family Center
Thurston Lewis Mason Labor Council
Transit Riders Union
United Way King County
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
WA Budget and Policy Center
WA Community Action Network (WA CAN)
WA Community Alliance
WA Conservation Voters
WA Education Association
WA Federation of State Employees
WA Immigrant Solidarity Network
WA Low Income Housing Alliance
WA Physicians for Social Responsibility
WA State Association of Head Start and ECEAP
WA State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
WA State Community Action Partnership
WA State Labor Council
WA State Nurses Association
WA Working Families Party
WA Youth Alliance & Action Fund
Wallingford Indivisible
Washington Bus
Washington’s Paramount Duty
WFSE Local 443
Working Washington
YWCA | Seattle | King | Snohomish
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