Even when they are on sabbatical PPPA faculty stay involved in community issues. On February 1st, The News Tribune published an op-ed by Professor Katie Baird, in which she likened the tax burden placed on the poor by the Washington state tax system to a 17th century sedan chair, where “the rich and royal rode, carted around by bearers.”

Those earning less that $21,000 per year–one out of five Washington families–pay, according to Baird, “seven times more in taxes as a share of their income than do the 1 percent of families who make over half a million dollars.” That burden extends to small businesses through unfair policies surrounding the state B&O tax as well.

Baird is a frequent guest editor for The News Tribune.