Mark Johnson, WR’s Senior VP of Policy and Government Affairs, has been quoted in two publications recently from his testimony in opposition to proposed new state taxes.

The Seattle Times quoted Johnson’s testimony in opposition to proposed surcharge on business and occupation taxes to pay higher education services. Higher charges for services used by businesses will increase their costs and hurt businesses to one degree or another, Johnson said.

The online Washington State Wire quoted Johnson’s comments in opposition to a proposed 9.9 percent capital gains tax. The tax would unfairly hurt the former owners of life-long businesses who had planned to sell their businesses to finance retirement.

Johnson has joined other business leaders in maintaining that the state’s steady revenue increases, including a gain of 16 percent in revenues from the last state budget until now, is more than enough to avoid new taxes to pay for state expenses.