On Thursday, February 28th, the Washington State Supreme Court overturned the voter-passed Initiative 1053.  This initiative would have required the State Legislature to achieve a 2/3rds majority vote in order to raise taxes.

1053 isn’t the only initiative passed by voters that was designed to protect the taxpayers in this way.   1185 was passed last year and had the same goal.  This initiative had received a majority of support in every county in the state and more votes than President Obama or Governor Inslee on election night.  But all these initiatives are not law because of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

I am obviously disappointed with the decision.  The court can rule the way the court decides to rule, but our caucus will stand with the people of this state.

Washington voters have repeatedly said that they want to see this basic taxpayer protection kept in place and they want it to be harder – not easier – for their taxes to be raised. The only option that now remains for them is to amend the state constitution and put this issue to bed once and for all.

The court may do what it wants, but we will stay the course.