Time and time again, voters have approved requiring a 2/3 legislative vote to raise taxes. The public has had their say a whopping six times now, and here’s the record:
- 1993: Initiative 601 – passed with 51% yes vote, to require a 2/3rds vote in the legislature to raise taxes;
- 1998: Referendum 49 – passed with 57% yes vote (affirmed 2/3rd requirement);
- 2007: Initiative 960 – passed with 51% yes vote (re-enacted 2/3rd requirement);
- 2010: Initiative 1053 – passed with 64% yes vote (re-enacted 2/3rd requirement);
- 2012: Initiative 1185 – passed statewide with 64% yes vote, approved in 44 of the state’s 49 legislative districts, to re-enact the 2/3 requirement.
And, of course, in 2015 voters approved I-1366, which proposed a one cent cut in the state sales tax rate unless the state Legislature allowed a public vote on an amendment that would require a two-thirds supermajority for future tax increases.
Additionally, when voters were asked in a recent poll if there should be a requirement for a supermajority vote to raise taxes in the state Legislature, 60% of the survey respondents said yes, there should be. An even higher 65% of survey respondents said legislators should give voters a chance to weigh in and vote on a constitutional amendment if the state Supreme Court ruled against I-1366.
Last month, King County Superior Court Judge William Downing ruled that I-1366 is unconstitutional. Almost immediately, Jay Inslee released a statement applauding the fact that voters’ will would, once again, not be respected. Unfortunately, Democrat lawmakers decided to follow our green governor’s lead in opposing the voters’ will.
A group of Republican state Senators proposed SJR 8211, which would amend the state Constitution to require a two-thirds majority vote of the legislature to raise taxes. Last week, Democrats ensured the proposal’s failure. In a 26-23 vote (it needed at least 33 votes), the bill failed to pass the state Senate.
Though it is a blow to the will of voters, SJR 8211’s failure “does not change the current referendum power of the legislature under the constitution.” The Washington Policy Center explains,
“This means that if a 2/3 vote for a tax increase could not be achieved, a simple majority of lawmakers could still send a referendum to voters to enact the tax. The policy is either for a broad supermajority vote of lawmakers or a simple majority of voters.”
It is worthy to note that 17 states have a similar supermajority restriction. Oregon requires a 3/5 vote, California requires a 2/3 vote, and Colorado requires voter approval of all tax increases. Additionally, as the Washington Policy Center points out, “there are already 20 plus supermajority vote restrictions in Washington’s constitution.”
Perhaps it’s time for Democrats to put aside their special interest-driven agenda and respect voters’ will.
tensor says
“Sen. Hill, when I talk to my grandkids, I say ‘use your words.’”
Even a Seattle liberal knows that’s way out of line; that implied equivalence is completely insulting. Inslee should apologize immediately to his grandchildren.
Biff says
He probably will, once he wakes up from his nappy. He lies to everybody, so why would his grandchildren any different? Sen. Hill did use his words, just not any an incompetent, big government liberal would understand: “You’re Fired”.