The author discusses the controversial proposed income tax in Washington state, stating that narratives can manipulate public into supporting misguided policies that often go unreformed. The article criticizes the state legislature for raising gas taxes, payroll taxes, revenue (B&O) taxes and capital gains taxes, and attempts to claim that an income tax won't expand in a future “emergency” situation. The author argues that the state’s reputation as a pro-business and pro-innovation state has been negatively impacted by this policy. He also criticizes attempts to reduce the highest estate tax in the country, which already had the highest state estate tax at 20%. The article concludes that the combination of 20% estate taxes, 10% capital gains tax and an additional 10% income tax will drive people out of Washington faster and keep others from ever coming. Despite these efforts, the author acknowledges that this is not a reality, but a narrative that is driving away innovators away from Washington.