Democrats Block Chance For Special Session Republicans Vow A Fight In January Over Lowry’s Veto Of Tax Cuts

The Democratic Senate has blocked conservatives’ call for a special legislative session this week to override Gov. Mike Lowry’s veto of $265 million in tax relief for businesses and property owners.

Angry Republicans vowed to pursue the issue in January, and the Senate Democratic caucus leader didn’t rule it out.

The governor sees the Democrats’ decision as vindication of his vetoes and his appeal for caution, Lowry spokesman Jordan Dey said.

As of Friday afternoon, 92 of the 147 lawmakers, mostly Republicans, had submitted petitions to the House and Senate for a five-day session starting Thursday. The House, with its heavy GOP majority, easily secured the necessary two-thirds majority when seven Democrats joined a solid bloc of 61 Republican members.

But in the Senate, no more than a simple majority materialized. It takes two-thirds of both houses for lawmakers to call a special session, something that has never happened in this state.

Marty Brown, the chief Senate administrator, said 23 Republicans and a lone Democrat, conservative Mary Margaret Haugen of Camano Island, had signed a petition. Brown said he expected a final vote to come in from Republican Harold Hochstatter of Moses Lake.

Thursday midnight was the postmark or fax deadline.

“We won’t get the 33 votes necessary to call a session,” Brown said.

Conservatives had wanted to override the Democratic governor’s veto of more than half of the tax-cut package.

Lowry signed a number of tax rollbacks, including a one-time property tax break and a sales tax break for manufacturing plant construction and equipment.

He vetoed a business and occupation tax cut of $173 million and a permanent property tax reduction of $92 million. He cited a softening state and national economy, the recent $181 million drop in state revenue projections, and the potential of big federal budget cuts that the state would have to partially pick up.

Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Sid Snyder, Long Beach, defended the Democrats’ decision to block the session, but said a tax-cut package still could materialize next year.

“I think the governor under the circumstances did the right thing,” he said. “We will be back in January and if the revenue situation is brighter, we can take a look at overriding vetoes or passing new (tax-relief) legislation.”

House Speaker Clyde Ballard, R-East Wenatchee, was furious with the Senate.

“The first thing we do in January will be to override the vetoes in the House,” he said.