I think part of the sentiment is it's undemocratic for the wealthy to dictate how this money is used. It's better for our political representatives to determine how to solve our problems (ideally with expert involvement). Not some rich guy do-gooder with maybe particular notions.

You're spot on. While paying more in taxes helps, setting aside the money for a specific purpose and not funneling through the government ensures that it goes toward the cause being supported.

Taxes are distributed at the government's discretion so it may not necessarily combat the issue at hand.

Thanks for clarifying. Can I convince you to change your wish to what I originally assumed and limit it to Seattle? A lot of us transplants in the area are here in part explicitly because of the tax incentive, I assume a lot of natives are too since they started it that way.

Lots of natives are worried about how they're going to continue living in Seattle and the surrounding areas given that one of the few mechanisms that local governments have for raising revenue is through regressive tax schemes and property taxes.

That doesn't encourage anyone to put down roots. That's not healthy for the area. If taxation really is your primary concern, then I hope you choose to leave and move to Wyoming at some point.

Texas does just fine without an income tax. The idea that natives are “worried” is nonsense. I live in California now where plenty of natives are worried because of how high taxes are. It seems bizarre that Seattle “natives” are actually worried because there aren’t enough taxes. That’s a strange crowd. Here is a spoiler: with an income tax, property taxes don’t get lowered, New Jersey has incredibly high property taxes and an income tax. Left leaning governments never, ever met a tax they didn’t like and want to expand. The idea that a Washington income tax would lower property taxes is just a fantasy. An additional tax just inspires politicians to spend more.