Spokane7
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February 11, 2010 in City
Senators wrangle into night on I-960
Partial suspension of tax restraint passed Tuesday
OLYMPIA – The Senate was forced to work late into the night to fix a self-inflicted problem in the Democrats’ key bill thus far this legislative session.
After voting Tuesday afternoon to suspend voter-approved limits on raising taxes, Senate Democrats discovered the changes they’d pushed through weren’t the ones they expected.
They wanted to suspend all of Initiative 960 until July 2011; the bill they approved only suspended the requirement for two-thirds majorities on any tax increase.
They wrote a new bill Wednesday and planned to introduce it in an after-dinner session, only to meet parliamentary resistance from Republicans, who objected to introducing and voting on a bill in such a short time frame. The solution: Keep working on noncontroversial bills until enough Republicans left the chamber that Democrats had the numbers to bring up the bill on I-960.
At press time, the Senate had begun debate on proposed amendments. The debate – which includes dire warnings about ignoring the will of the people pitted against impassioned pleas not to abandon children, the sick and the elderly to an “all-cuts” budget – was expected to be similar to Tuesday’s. So was the outcome, members of both parties said.
Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, charged that Democrats want to suspend notification requirements to deceive voters and raise taxes: “You want to cover that up. You want to hide that from the voters.”
Romney/Paul split weighing on county GOP 
Dazzeetrader11 on February 11 at 2:28 a.m.
Vote the Dems out. This is exactly why they need to go! Against the will of the people? Lisa Brown tried this before…on a weekend…now it’s the whole body. Time for the voters to sharpen their pencils and point them right at the eyes of the Dems who vote for this. So outrageous!
johnnygriffith on February 11 at 6:26 a.m.
It is good to know that the Democrats know there is a problem and are showing courage in that they are trying to fix it. The Republicans will make political points by saying “no” and not providing any direction themselves - a very tired, very obvious game and a waste of time and money.
I think the voters, in the end, will know that the adults were the Dems and vote Republicans out accordingly.
Really, how much have your taxes gone up compared to how private insurance companies and power companies have jacked up their prices? No outrage over that because they’re not the gubmint, they’re private companies and they are sacrosanct.
beckola on February 11 at 7:30 a.m.
We have got to raise taxes. The Republicans, working hand in hand with big corporations, put out the misinformation that only the middle and lower classes will have tax increases, which is what the Republican administrations have always done. The taxes on upper income levels are the lowest in decades, those who can easily afford to pay them. Yes, please, let’s raise taxes on the rich.
deacon46 on February 11 at 7:33 a.m.
While I understand the need for more revenue and the problems of additional taxation I do not understand the continual waste in our Government. No one in office wishes to tackle the problem, while at the same time or ever for that matter, looking to raise revenues. How about some waste management and removal to lessen the need for more of my money.
SugarShane on February 11 at 8:34 a.m.
How about brining our troops home? Wow SugarShane just saved the country billions and solved the states financial woes singlehandedly. Lets get this guy into office.
sixandseven on February 11 at 8:37 a.m.
The Spokesman removed my posting.
lewis8457 on February 11 at 8:43 a.m.
ILove reading how this is the republicans fault over and over even though we have democrats in the white house, senate and congress.
When are the Obama lovers going to wake up?
Bush left a750 billion-dollar debt after one year our democrat president has a debit of 1.7 trillion with a ceiling of 14 trillion.
And for the record I am from neither party I think we need to get the independents and the tea party involved. It so obvious the democrats and the republicans both are crooks with out a care for the taxpayer of this nation.
horse_feathers on February 11 at 9:43 a.m.
The Republicans and the Democrats have lied and stolen from the American people for longer then I can remember. I think it is time for a new party. I’m thinking “Tea Party”.