Senate leader to sue over I-960 provisions (WA)

Seattle Times ^ | March 3, 2008 | Rachel La Corte-AP

[jazusamo]

OLYMPIA — Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown said Sunday she will sue in a bid to overturn the tax-limiting provisions of Initiative 960, a Tim Eyman-sponsored measure aimed at curbing the Legislature's power to raise taxes.

The lawsuit, which is technically against Lt. Gov. Brad Owen over a Senate floor ruling upholding I-960, will be filed this morning with the state Supreme Court.

Initiative 960 reaffirmed higher vote thresholds for tax increases and was passed by voters in November. It requires all state tax increases to achieve at least a two-thirds vote in both houses. That was previously mandated by Initiative 601, passed in 1993, which lawmakers have amended and even suspended at times. Under the initiative, taxes passed with only a simple majority have to go to the ballot for ratification.

Brown told The Associated Press on Sunday the two-thirds requirement is "clearly unconstitutional."

"This isn't about 960, and this isn't about undoing the will of the people," Brown said. "This is about defending the Constitution and the Legislature's ability to pass laws under the Constitution."

Brown said they are asking the court for an expedited ruling. If that's not granted, she said, they are asking that they rule before the 2009 legislative session.

Eyman said Democrats are upset their ability to raise taxes has been hindered...

[jazusamo]

Tax and spend liberals here in Washington state again try to circumvent the will of the people.

[jazusamo]

WA Ping!

[freekitty]

I would run everyone of them out of office.

[freekitty]

What is it with these women Majority Leaders? This should tell everyone these are not the right women for government in the US.

[moehoward]

I’ve lived here long enough nothing shocks me anymore.

They’re not Liberals, not Socialists, they are down right Communists.

[jazusamo]

Moonbats control our state and even when they lose an election they always seem to find more uncounted votes in King county (Seattle) to swing that election their way.

[datura]

This is nothing new. Property taxes, state taxes, doesn’t matter - the Rats here don’t care about what the people want.

Also up for consideration in Olympia is a bill to tax us on mileage driven in the state to combat Global Warming. Puke.

[PeterFinn]

I would run everyone of them out of office.

In the USA we traditionally tar and feather people who try to impose taxes on Americans against their will.

[camas]

only law needed is a simple majority is needed to pass a bond issue. that is if 1000 people are registered to vote then it takes 500 plus ONE yes votes to pass. if you do not vote that is a NO vote.

[Gator113]

Agreed. I live here too and I hate my state.

Unfortunately, for me, there are no easy options, or I would already be gone.

[Myrddin]

In early 1991 I was evaluating the prospects of relocating from San Diego to the Seattle area to work for Microsoft. I had lived in Federal Way around 1963/64 and attended 3rd grade at Adelaide Elementary school. My initial scouting effort consisted of a month's subscription to the Post-Intelligencer and some phone calls to my aunt and cousin. My cousin went to school with Bill Gates and works for Boeing. My aunt exclaimed with much zeal that "Dem's rule!" in Washington. That was enough recon. I took a position with a company in San Diego. There's no way I would move to Washington with the current political landscape. Washington and California have beautiful geography, but terrible political demographics.

[jazusamo]

I believe that’s the simple majority just passed by the voters for local districts and doesn’t apply to state bills in the legislature.

[jazusamo]

You made the right decision, IMO. The only reason we live here now is our kids and grandkids relocated here.

[moehoward]

Yep. It goes on and on.

Fraudoire seeking DUI checkpoints for “safety” despite them being found unconsitutional long ago by our supreme court. Not at all interested in the DUI taxes generated, dontchano.

Locally they are 3/4s way through a road revision that is WAY overdue and over-budget. Supposed to ease commuter congestion, doing anything but. What they did was re-pave a 4 lane stretch of road. Then mark two of the 4 as diamond lanes. Basically turning a four lane road into two!!

[moehoward]

—”Washington and California have beautiful geography, but terrible political demographics.”—

Well stated. Spent most of my 50 years living in one or the other.

[Digger]

They’re not Liberals, not Socialists, they are down right Communists.

Damn straight!

[sionnsar]

Thanks to truth49 for the ping.

Say WA? Evergreen State ping

FReepmail sionnsar if you want on or off this ping list.

Ping sionnsar if you see a Washington state related thread.

[American in Israel]

Unconstitutional?! The Constitution is about limiting the power of government, not about the right for the Goverment to raise taxes on any whim.

People who aspire to political office should be required topass grade school political science classes.

[4woodenboats]

The only way to pass a political science class in this state is to write far left papers. My son had to drop out of one or get a fail for using an even handed article on the negotiations for peace between Israel & the (PA) rocket people.

I'm hoping the next teacher is a little more level headed.

[camas]

thanks for the info.