Gregoire on tax increases circa 2008

It is very likely that the subject of tax increases will come up at tonight's gubernatorial debate. Both candidates have strongly stated they do not support tax increases though they've come down on opposite sides of the state's 20 year old law requiring a supermajority vote for tax increases.
Not surprisingly the state's 2/3 vote requirement for tax increases was a topic of the last election for Governor in 2008. Here is an exchange from 2008 between radio host Dori Monson and Governor Gregoire on that issue . . . READ MORE

Time to truly settle debate on supermajority for taxes

In a few days, Washingtonians will start to vote by mail on Initiative 1185. The measure would reaffirm the nearly 20-year-old state law requiring that tax increases pass with a two-thirds vote in the Legislature or else receive direct voter approval . . . READ MORE

Updated legislative tax survey results

Last month the Washington Policy Center published the results of our legislative tax survey that asked legislators and candidates (including gubernatorial) the following question: "If Initiative 1185 is adopted, would you vote to allow the people of Washington to have the opportunity to vote on a state constitution amendment to require a supermajority vote in the legislature to raise taxes?" After the results were published we received requests from some that missed the deadline to be included in the totals. Also responding "Yes" after the deadline were five additional Republicans and three Democrats . . . READ MORE

Did Colorado voters run away from tax restriction requirement?

Perhaps by virtue of its inclusion in the 2012 Voters' Guide the following claim is making the rounds to argue against Initiative 1185: "Measures like 1185 may sound like a way to protect taxpayers, but Colorado passed a similar measure with disastrous results. It cut off funding for schools, roads, and immunizations for kids, and caused so many problems that Colorado’s Republican Governor proposed a measure to suspend it, which voters passed." So did Colorado's Republican Governor propose and voters adopt a suspension of the tax restriction? No . . . READ MORE

Bellevue Chamber of Commerce endorses I-1185

The endorsements for Initiative 1185 continue to roll in with the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce adding its voice in support. According to Lincoln Vander Veen, Public Affairs Manager for the Chamber, “The Bellevue Chamber voted last week to support I-1185 and has supported the two-thirds majority requirement since I-601 in 1993.” I had the opportunity to address the Chamber's policy committee on why it should support I-1185 . . . READ MORE