Campaign launches to save education, healthcare funding

With a repeal of the Millionaires Tax likely to appear on the November ballot, working people launch “NO on I-645” campaign

SEATTLE, WA (July 15, 2026) — With billions in funding for education, health care, and child care on the line, the campaign to defeat the Millionaires Tax repeal is off and running. A coalition of labor unions, advocacy organizations, students, working families, and even some of Washington’s highest earners are behind the NO on I-645 campaign, which launched last week with $3 million in early pledges to fund a ground campaign to educate voters on an initiative that would give “mega-millionaires an unneeded tax cut at the expense of 99.5% of Washingtonians,” per a supporter who would themselves pay the tax.

“The Washington State Labor Council strongly opposes I-645, a tax cut for millionaires that would leave working families footing the bill for K-12 education, health care, and child care,” said WSLC President April Sims in a press release. “People earning over $1 million a year can afford to pay their fair share so 600,000 working families get a tax break. We urge the public to join us in opposing this measure put forward by a California millionaire who doesn’t want to pay his taxes.”

Advocates share the devastating impacts of I-645 for working families at a press conference Tuesday. Photo: SEIU 925

Supporters of the the NO on I-645 campaign are clear on the necessity of stable revenue provided by the Millionaires Tax.

“Initiative 645 would take away funding for less-crowded classrooms and better school resources,” said Janie White, President of the Washington Education Association. “Our students’ families and our own families are being threatened with $13 billion in cuts to the education, healthcare and human services we all depend on. Washington is not the kind of place where we vote to eliminate universal school lunches and let more kids go hungry to give a tax break to billionaires and multimillionaires. Say no to I-645.”

Justin Gill, President of the Washington State Nurses Association shared similar concerns about sustainable funding for life-saving health care.

“As a health care provider, I see firsthand the harm that occurs when patients delay essential care or leave chronic conditions untreated because they simply cannot afford it,” said Justin Gill, President of the Washington State Nurses Association. “The Millionaires Tax provides critical resources to protect Medicaid and strengthen healthcare programs and services across Washington state. Eliminating this tax would pull the rug out from under families who are already forced to choose between paying for basic necessities and getting the healthcare they need.”

The push to repeal the Millionaires Tax comes as many extremely wealthy individuals in Washington and across the U.S. are already benefitting from federal tax cuts passed last year, tax cuts that were paid for by cutting billions in funding for health care, nutrition, and other vital services.

“With President Trump’s HR 1 kicking thousands more off from their healthcare in October, it is more important than ever that the state avoid cuts to essential programs in health care, home care, childcare, and K-12 education,” said Sterling Harders, President of SEIU 775. “Initiative 645 would upend Washington’s budget and put important tax breaks for everyday people at risk; all so Heywood can avoid paying the Millionaires Tax. We strongly oppose Initiative 645 and are committed to making sure the NO campaign has the resources it needs to win in November.”