Two distinguished speakers will be taking sides Thursday night at Edmonds Community College during a debate over Initiative 1098, which would tax those earning more than $200,000 a year (filing federal taxes as individuals) or $400,000 (joint filers).

Bill Gates Sr. will be speaking in favor of the initiative. It was announced Tuesday that former U.S. Senator Slade Gorton will be speaking against the measure. Everyone is invited to attend the forum at Edmonds Community College’s Black Box Theater, the second in a series of Civic Engagement Forums co-sponsored by My Edmonds News, MLTNews and Lynnwood Today.

The debate will be aired on the “Civic Engagement” public affairs TV show hosted by D.J. Wilson, which is taped before a live studio audience. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited to 200. Arrive early to ensure a seat. The program will be broadcast to over 125,000 households in Snohomish County.

If you have a question about the initiative and what it would do, submit it to tips@MTLnews.com. Edmonds Community College is located at 20310 68th Ave. W. in Lynnwood.