February 24, 2010 in Region

Gregoire approves suspension of anti-tax law

Rachel La Corte Associated Press
 
Tags:2010 Washington LegislatureChris GregoireI-960

OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire has approved a measure that will temporarily suspend the tax-limiting constraints placed on lawmakers by voter-approved Initiative 960.

Gregoire signed the bill Wednesday afternoon, just days after the Legislature approved the measure. The bill spurred two weeks of heated debate in both the House and Senate.

I-960 made it harder for lawmakers to raise taxes or to close tax exemptions, which is why the Democratic majority wanted it suspended.

Budget writers want a mix of spending cuts, tax increases and one-time fixes to fill a $2.8 billion deficit. But I-960, approved in 2007, required two-thirds approval from legislators to raise taxes — a significant hurdle compared with the simple majority needed to pass other measures.

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Five comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • Albert on February 24 at 6:03 p.m.

    “WE THE PEOPLE…” means absolutely zippo. All the work that went into the formal execution of this “Law?” only now to be executed. Depressing to be sure. Whatever happened to “We The People”?????

  • Shylock13 on February 24 at 6:18 p.m.

    I agree with Albert. The people of Washington voted that THEY wanted a “super majority” of the legislature to increase taxes. The legislature and Governor could have asked us poor peons if we would approve whatever raises in taxes. Our ELECTED representatives are supposed to represent us! WE, the voters and taxpayers, should NOT vote to reelected ANYONE who went against the will of the PEOPLE!!

  • Theanticscontinue on February 24 at 6:30 p.m.

    Once again our tax and spend governor and her party goer’s have enable themselves to our wallets. Never mind what “We the people” want. Just shut up and open your wallets. Anyone tired of these buffoons yet?!?!? I agree with Albert and William, Vote them out!

  • cowboy on February 25 at 3:00 p.m.

    we the people what a joke more like we the cattle. What is the point of voting?

  • lsywlw on February 28 at 10:19 p.m.

    jimmy choo and gucci balenciaga handbag
    http://www.lookhandbag.com

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