How much will firms pay before they leave?

State government is entitled to a fixed portion of what you earn, even if it is wasted or isn't needed to fund important programs. That is the crux of the argument being made to justify yet more tax increases.

Leadership of Washington State Senate Democrats have circulated a document arguing Washington's tax code is "broken." They assert the state is being "defunded" because revenue as a percentage of "total personal income" has declined over 20 years, from a historical 6-7% to approximately 5%.

The document's main argument is that share of "total personal income" is the "best way to track the...