The Communist Party USA (CPUSA) is mobilising members and building alliances with labour and community organisations in Washington State to defeat Initiative 645 (I-645), a ballot measure seeking to repeal the state’s recently enacted “Millionaire Tax.”
Communist Party USA mobilises to defeat Initiative 645
CPUSA members from across Washington State gathered to discuss electoral campaigning, party-building and coalition work ahead of the US midterm elections on 3 November.
Defending the tax on high incomes
The party’s immediate campaign centres on defending a 9.9% tax on income above $1 million. The state legislature approved the measure during its most recent session, with supporters arguing that the revenue is needed to address chronic funding shortages in public education, healthcare, food assistance and affordable housing.
The CPUSA says the tax could generate as much as $3 billion annually. It argues that repealing the measure would undermine funding for working-class communities, including low-income households that depend on public healthcare programmes and school meal provision.
Hedge-fund millionaire Brian Heywood is the financier behind the campaign to place I-645 on the ballot. CPUSA members described defending the tax as a central class issue and pledged to mobilise voters against the repeal initiative.
Building alliances and mobilising voters
The gathering also highlighted cooperation between local CPUSA clubs and branches of the nationwide Indivisible network. Members from Seattle’s Irene Hull Club and the Spokane Club pledged to participate in voter-mobilisation activities associated with the “No Kings Day” demonstrations scheduled for 17 October.
The party is also campaigning against Republican candidates it associates with the MAGA movement, while defending voting rights and access to mail-in ballots. Participants discussed the CPUSA’s wider programme, which links electoral activity with trade-union organising, anti-war campaigning, immigrant rights and efforts to defend democratic institutions.
The party is also organising in response to expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations. It is running a campaign for the release of Dr Robert Sidhe, a Kenyan-born healthcare worker and union member who was arrested by ICE in August and released by court order on 11 September.