Despite the outrage expressed by Republican legislators, no one was actually
surprised to see their Democratic colleagues gutting Initiative 960 this
week.
Long before the legislative session started in January, the majority party
had telegraphed its intent to suspend the part of the initiative that
requires a two-thirds majority of the Legislature to raise taxes.
It looks like the Democrats will go even further, suspending the entire
initiative, including the public reporting provisions.
That adds insult to injury, but the people's will was thwarted as soon as
the Democratic leadership decided not to bother even paying lip service to
I-960.
We recommended voters reject this particular anti-tax package from
initiative king Tim Eyman when it was on the ballot two years ago.
The intent - to make it tougher for lawmakers to raise taxes and ensure that
they're more accountable when they do - was laudable.
We just didn't think the initiative was a good vehicle for accomplishing
those goals. The restrictions placed on state government's ability to alter
fees and taxes are overly broad.
But the public has been clear about its desire to restrain the Legislature's
ability to raise revenues. Voters have approved the two-thirds requirement
three times since 1993, and it's a cinch they'll do it again in response to
the Democrats' actions this week.
A two-thirds vote in the Legislature isn't the only means of increasing
state revenues allowed under I-960. Raises in taxes can also be approved by
a vote of the people.
Both are high hurdles, but that's the way the public wants it.
Either way - attracting enough bipartisan support in the Legislature for a
two-thirds vote or getting tax-weary voters to approve an increase -
requires Democrats to make a convincing case.
That would be difficult, of course, but not impossible.
Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt told us before the session that cuts
alone might not make up for the $2.6 billion deficit, and he wasn't ruling
out support for increased revenues to balance the budget.
And as recently as Tuesday, voters in school districts across the state
proved that they're willing to support school tax levies - even in these
tough times - if the need is clear.
But broad support depends first on putting every potential cost-saving
measure on the table and reducing state spending as much as possible.
Then lawmakers would still need to demonstrate that any additional revenues
would pay for programs worthy of the sacrifices required from the taxpayers.
By tossing out I-960, Democrats don't have to take either step. Why bother?
They already have the votes to push whatever they want through the
Legislature.
It's the path of least resistance, but the result isn't likely to move the
state's recurring budget problems any closer to a long-term fix. Any budget
capable of garnering broad support would surely do a better job of balancing
conflicting interests.
To Democrats, suspending I-960 may look like dodging a bullet. From here, it
looks like missed opportunity.
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TOLL: Eyman’s anti-tolling initiative too close to call
TOLL: Eyman’s anti-tolling initiative too close to call
OLYMPIA — A Tim Eyman initiative that would disrupt Washington's use of tolling and prohibit light rail from crossing the Interstate 90 bridge across Lake Washington was narrowly trailing in election returns Tuesday night.
Less than 51 percent of voters were opposing Initiative 1125 in early results tallied from 1.1 million votes. It was the only statewide ballot measure that was at risk of losing, sullied by broad opposition to the measure — from Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire to Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna.
Eyman said that no matter the final tally, the campaign had made tolls a radioactive issue for lawmakers.
State shouldn't count on voter support for taxes
State shouldn't count on voter support for taxes
We agree with Gov. Chris Gregoire on at least one thing -- cuts in state spending she proposed last week are unacceptable.
"I have seen the ramifications of the cuts," Gregoire told reporters at a news conference in Olympia. "I can't live with it."
But her call for a statewide referendum on a temporary half-cent sales tax increase is premature. The last thing Washington taxpayers need at this stage is to let the Legislature off the hook by dangling some false hope of new revenues.
State shouldn't count on voter support for taxes
State shouldn't count on voter support for taxes
We agree with Gov. Chris Gregoire on at least one thing -- cuts in state spending she proposed last week are unacceptable.
"I have seen the ramifications of the cuts," Gregoire told reporters at a news conference in Olympia. "I can't live with it."
But her call for a statewide referendum on a temporary half-cent sales tax increase is premature. The last thing Washington taxpayers need at this stage is to let the Legislature off the hook by dangling some false hope of new revenues.
Washington state budget debate to begin
Washington state budget debate to begin
Talking about a $2 billion deficit in Washington can seem unreal -- it's a number almost too big for the average person to imagine, but one that might have very real consequences for thousands of Tri-Citians.
And it's the number that will be the focus of lawmakers' discussion and debate as the Legislature convenes in a 30-day special session Monday to tackle that deficit before it ordinarily would meet to write a supplemental budget starting in January.
The actual shortfall between projected revenue and the biennial budget as written is about $1.4 billion, but Gov. Chris Gregoire is asking lawmakers to cut enough to leave $600 million in reserves.
Washington state budget debate to begin
Washington state budget debate to begin
Talking about a $2 billion deficit in Washington can seem unreal -- it's a number almost too big for the average person to imagine, but one that might have very real consequences for thousands of Tri-Citians.
And it's the number that will be the focus of lawmakers' discussion and debate as the Legislature convenes in a 30-day special session Monday to tackle that deficit before it ordinarily would meet to write a supplemental budget starting in January.
The actual shortfall between projected revenue and the biennial budget as written is about $1.4 billion, but Gov. Chris Gregoire is asking lawmakers to cut enough to leave $600 million in reserves.
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