Washington Tax Initiative, Initiative 1053 (2010)

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Eyman filing the "Save the 2/3rds vote for Tax Increase" initiative.
Photo credit: Office of the Washington Secretary of State

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Washington Tax Initiative, Initiative 1053 is on the November 2, 2010 general election ballot in the State of Washington as an Initiative to the People.

I-1053 will require a two-thirds majority of the Washington State Legislature, or a statewide popular vote, for any tax increases.[1]

Tim Eyman filed the language for the proposed initiative on January 11 with the Washington Secretary of State. He was joined by several co-sponsors, including Republican state senators Pam Roach and Janea Holmquist.[2]

On July 2 supporters filed an estimated 400,000 signatures, far exceeding the 241,000 required minimum.[3][4] Following a 3 percent signature check the Washington Secretary of State certified the proposed initiative for the 2010 ballot.[5][6]

Background

Initiative 960

See also: Washington Initiative 960 (2007)

Washington I-960 appeared on the November 6, 2007 statewide ballot in Washington where it was approved with 51.24% of the vote. I-960 required that in order for the Washington State Legislature raise taxes, the legislature would have to approve any tax increases with a two-thirds supermajority vote or submit tax increase proposals to a statewide vote of the electorate. After a two-year threshold, only a simple majority is required to change or repeal an initiative. I-960 has passed the two-year threshold, thus opening the possibility for legislators to revoke the provisions of I-960. Eyman's proposed I-1053 would implement a permanent 2/3rds supermajority requirement for all tax raises in the future.

Repeal of I-960

In January 2010 Democrats, who are in the majority in the state legislature, said they planned to suspend I-960 "to make way for tax increases to help close a $2.6 billion state budget gap and stave off severe cuts to state services"[1]. On February 4, Margarita Prentice introduced Senate Bill 6843, which would repeal I-960.[7],[8][9] Should I-960 be repealed, tax increases would only require a simple majority, otherwise I-960 requires a two-thirds approval by the legislature.[10]

On February 17, 2010 the House approved the temporary suspension of I-960 after a 51-47 vote.[11] Shortly thereafter the Senate voted 26-21 in favor of suspending I-960.[12][13] Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the 16-month suspension of some provisions of Initiative 960 on February 25, 2010[14]

Support

Initiative 1053's goal, according to its supporters, is to reinstate the 2/3rds supermajority vote provisions of Initiative 960, which voters approved in November 2007.

Laws governing the initiative process in Washington allow the state legislature to amend or repeal a voter-passed initiative like I-960, but the state's law does require a 2/3rds vote to amend or repeal an initiative within 2 years after passage. After the two year threshold, only a simple majority is needed to change or repeal an Initiative from the People. Now that the two years are up, Eyman expects the state legislature to try to revoke the provisions of I-960 and that is why he is sponsoring a new initiative in 2010 to implement a permanent 2/3rds supermajority requirement for all tax raises in the future.[2]

  • On May 13, 2010 the Association of Washington Business’ (AWB) board of directors voted unanimously to support the proposed measure. "Taxes and increased costs on business are the top issue of concern for our members right now. This fall’s elections will undoubtedly be about the impact of taxes on families and businesses. Our board felt strongly enough about this measure to provide an early endorsement, in the hopes of raising the visibility of the issue among voters," said AWB President Don Brunell.[15]

Opposition

  • Gov. Christine Gregoire, who said in January 2010 with respect to I-1053's primary sponsor Tim Eyman: "For those like him who want to have a say constantly, come on down and run for election. Otherwise, leave it to us."[1]
  • Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, who earlier filed an unsuccessful lawsuit, Lisa Brown v. Brad Owens, to have I-960 declared unconstitutional. She said in January 2010 that I-960 has had "ludicrous" consequences and that the state legislature should suspend it in order to "stay true to the principle of majority rule."[1]

Media endorsements

Main article: Endorsements of Washington ballot measures, 2010

Support

  • The Seattle Times supports the proposed measure. In an editorial the board said, "A two-thirds requirement was in effect in 2009, and the Legislature did not raise taxes. But under the state constitution, the Legislature may suspend any initiative after two years by majority vote. In January they did, and raised taxes by more than $800 million. I-1053 would force the Legislature to find ways other than simply raising taxes to adjust to the state's economic realities."[18][19]

Polls

See also: Polls, 2010 ballot measures

A Washington Poll, conducted from May 3 – May 23, 2010, revealed that 60% of polled registered voters approve of requiring a 2/3 majority by the state legislature before approving tax increases. 24% said they were opposed. The poll surveyed approximately 1,252 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8.[20][21]

Path to the ballot

See also: Washington signature requirements

In order to place the proposed measure on the 2010 ballot organizers were required to collect a minimum of 241,153 valid signatures by July 2. According to reports I-1053 supporters was expected to file signatures with the Washington Secretary of State on Friday, July 2.[22]

On July 2 supporters filed an estimated 400,000 signatures, far exceeding the 241,000 required minimum.[23][24]

On July 19 Secretary of State Sam Reed certified the measure following a 3 percent signature check. Of the 10,325 signature checked, 9,187 or 80% were valid and 1,138 were rejected. According to state officials, signatures were primarily rejected because they weren't registered voters. The total error rate was 19.62%.[25][26]

See also

Related measures

Approved Washington Legislative Supermajority or Voter Approval Required for Tax Increase, Initiative 960 (2007)

Articles

External links

Additional reading

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Seattle Times, "Eyman will push to restore tax barrier", January 12, 2010
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Office of the Washington Secretary of State, "Another round of Eyman vs. Legislature begins", January 11, 2010
  3. ↑ The Associated Press,"Wash. campaign to limit taxes turns in signatures," July 2, 2010
  4. ↑ Washington's: From Our Corner,"`Direct democracy’ — A six-pack for 2010," July 2, 2010
  5. ↑ Washington Secretary of State's: From Our Corner,"Tim Eyman’s I-1053 earns ballot spot," July 19, 2010
  6. ↑ Seattle Post-Intelligencer,"Eyman tax initiative qualifies for fall ballot," July 19, 2010
  7. ↑ Washington Votes, Washington Senate Bill 6843
  8. ↑ Seattle Times, "Senate Democrats propose bill to make it easier to raise taxes", February 3, 2010
  9. ↑ Text of SB 6843
  10. ↑ The Associated Press,"Wash. Senate has final vote on suspension of I-960," February 22, 2010
  11. ↑ The Seattle Times,"State House approves I-960 suspension," February 18, 2010
  12. ↑ Associated Press,"Wash. Legislature OKS suspension of I-960," February 22, 2010
  13. ↑ time/ The Spokesman-Review,"State senate approves I-960 suspension for the third time," February 22, 2010
  14. ↑ The Spokesman-Review,"Gregoire signs I-960 suspension," February 24, 2010
  15. ↑ Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal,"Employers back measure requiring two-thirds vote on taxes," May 24, 2010
  16. ↑ NPI Advocate, "Democratic legislators begin courageous and noble effort to neutralize Tim Eyman's I-960", February 4th, 2010
  17. ↑ Tri-City Herald, "Holmquist joins Eyman on initiative over tax rule", January 12, 2010
  18. ↑ The Seattle Times,"Reset 2010: Statewide initiatives tackle taxes, taxes and drink," June 18, 2010
  19. ↑ Seattle Post-Intelligencer,"Times endorses Eyman initiative, opposes income tax on rich," June 21, 2010
  20. ↑ Seattle Post-Intelligencer,"New state poll: Murray runs weak, income tax strong," May 24, 2010
  21. ↑ The Washington Poll, "Issues and Opinions May 2010," May 24, 2010
  22. ↑ Seattle Post-Intelligencer,"Eyman, second liquor measure ready to turn in signatures," June 28, 2010
  23. ↑ The Spokesman Review,"I-1053 turn-in: 333,000-plus signatures," July 2, 2010
  24. ↑ The Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader,"Initiative 1107 aims to repeal food and beverage tax with Nov. ballot," July 13, 2010
  25. ↑ Associated Press,"Eyman initiative on tax hike votes to make ballot," July 19, 2010
  26. ↑ Publicola,"Eyman Initiative Makes the Ballot," July 19, 2010
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