OLYMPIA – A coalition of House Democrats and education advocates are asking the courts to void the supermajority required for tax increases, arguing that it’s an unconstitutional limit on legislative authority.
State Republicans and the sponsor of initiatives that have repeatedly resulted in voters imposing that two-thirds majority quickly denounced the lawsuit as ignoring the will of the voters.
Tim Eyman, who had another such initiative certified Monday for this November’s ballot, said the suit could boost that measure. It could also provide campaign fodder for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna, who as state attorney general will have the task of defending the supermajority requirement in the courts.
“This is going to bode well for us,” Eyman said of Initiative 1125. “It’s an extraordinary gift they’ve given to the McKenna campaign.”

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OLYMPIA — Seth Dawson, a representative of human service organizations, urged the Legislature to temporarily suspend Initiative 960’s requirements for super-majority support for tax increases.

“There’s nothing pretty about amending this initiative…, There’s nothing pretty about enacting these cuts,” Dawson said.

“I don’t envy your position. The best choice at this point is to proceed with this measure,” Dawson, whose clients include the Coalition for the Homeless, said.

Suppose more revenue comes in Sen. Linda Parlette said. AT some point aren’t we still going to have to reduce spending?

“Probably,” said Dawson.

The state cut spending last year, Sen. Karen Fraser said. It can’t just keep cutting.

“It’s time to look at a system of new revenues,” Dawson said. Mental health was cut last year, now it’s asked to take more.