2.2.18

Suggested lead:   Four out of five businesses in Washington state could be in for a nice surprise soon. Dan Frizzell has more.

Wrap (:60 total):

LYTTON: “Small businesses are struggling across our state, and what I hear over and over is their struggle with paying B&O, that it's an unfair tax because it taxes on the gross instead of taking into consider what it actually costs to run a business.” [:13]

That's state Representative Kristine Lytton.  The Anacortes Democrat chairs the House Finance Committee, and this week she introduced legislation that would eliminate the B&O tax for 80 percent of the businesses in Washington state. Another 14 percent would pay what they currently do, and the top six percent -- which includes some of the biggest businesses not just in Washington or the U.S., but the world -- would see a surcharge on their taxes. Lytton says her bill is revenue neutral, meaning the total revenue would be the same, but thousands of small businesses would suddenly see a boost in their bottom line. 

LYTTON: “This really about small businesses, small business entrepreneurs trying to start up, and helping our communities be successful.” [:07]

Lytton's bill, officially dubbed the Small Business Tax Fairness Act, could go before the full House within a few days.  In Olympia, I’m Dan Frizzell.