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
- Aging + Disability Services
- All In for Washington
- Alliance for a Healthy Washington
- American Federation of Teachers Washington
- Anti-Hunger and Nutrition Coalition
- Asian Counseling and Referral Service
- BIPOC ED Coalition of Washington State
- Building Changes
- Child Care Aware of WA
- Children’s Alliance
- Civic Ventures
- Communities for Our Colleges
- Economic Opportunity Institute
- Equity in Education Coalition
- Faith Action Network
- Firelands Workers Action
- Food Lifeline
- Fuse Washington
- Health Care is a Human Right WA
- House Our Neighbors
- Housing Development Consortium
- Invest in Washington Now
- Latino Community Fund
- League of Education Voters
- League of Women Voters
- Legal Voice
- Mockingbird Society
- Moms Rising
- Nonprofit Association of Washington
- Northwest Harvest
- Northwest Health Law Advocates
- Northwest Progressive Institute
- OneAmerica
- Partners for Our Children
- Partners for Social Change
- Pathwaves
- Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest
- Planned Parenthood Votes! Northwest
- Pro-Choice Washington
- Progress Alliance of Washington
- Seattle Human Services Coalition
- Seattle Indivisible
- Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness
- Seattle Public Library Foundation
- SEIU 775
- SEIU 925
- Sierra Club
- Soar King County
- Social Venture Partners
- Statewide Poverty Action Network
- Tech4Housing
- Transit Riders Union
- United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 21
- United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 22
- Washington Budget and Policy Center
- Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
- WA4BlackLives
- Wallingford Indivisible
- Washington Bus
- Washington Community Alliance
- Washington Community Action Network
- Washington Conservation Voters
- Washington Education Association
- Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility
- Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Washington State Community Action Partnership
- Washington State Council of Firefighters
- Washington State Labor Council
- Washington Student Association
- Washington’s Paramount Duty
- West Side Baby
- Working Washington
- YouthCare
- YWCA Works
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