SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Unconstitutional! The 2/3rd require to raise taxes was thrown out by the courts BUT…

Mar 4, 2013, 10:53 AM | Updated: 3:52 pm

 

eyman

 

The Washington State Supreme Court tossed the supermajority requirement voters imposed on their elected representatives before they could raise taxes. Apparently, it was too great an interference for the people, in whom the power of the state still presides, to put a guiding limit on the constitutional powers exercised by their representatives. It’s interesting that the Court finds this to be an overstep, but not their own declaration in the McCleary case in which the court declared the legislature has not made education a “paramount” duty. Now the court presumes to tell the legislature how much money needs to be spent on schools, but the people cannot advise the legislature that they want limits as to how much of their money they collect.

Politically, the decision is likely to help Republicans, who are already working on making the supermajority requirement permanent through other means. Even if that fails, the issue remains a hammer with which they can beat Democrats who don’t line up on the tax issues.

One also hopes that it will lead to trouble for 6 of the justices the next time they face voters at the ballot box.

Seattle News Archives & Features

Crews set up several rope systems on a steep slope, in this rescue effort Saturday, at the Green Ri...

Tom Brock

One dead after fire crews attempt Green River Gorge rescue

Firefighters from several south King County departments attempted a river rescue at the Green River Gorge on Saturday.

2 days ago

The US military released photos from Wednesday's attacks in Iran as an interim deal to end the war ...

Jon Gambrell, Toqa Ezzidin and Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press

US military says 2 troops are dead and 1 is missing after Iran attacks a base in Jordan

The U.S. military on Saturday announced its first troop deaths due to direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war.

3 days ago

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) attends a training session ahead of their World Cup round of 16...

Associated Press

Balogun starts for US against Belgium after suspension lifted following call by Trump to FIFA

SEATTLE (AP) — Folarin Balogun is in the United States’ starting lineup for Monday’s World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium after his red-card suspension was lifted by FIFA in a decision that sparked an uproar across the sport. Balogun’s red card was assessed by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for stepping on an opponent’s […]

15 days ago

Australia's Aiden O'Neill (13) appeals for offside after United States' Alex Freeman (16) scored a ...

Associated Press

Despite Christian Pulisic’s absence, US beats Australia 2-0 to advance to World Cup knockout round

SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. national soccer team advanced to the knockout round at the World Cup despite the absence of injured forward Christian Pulisic, beating Australia 2-0 on Friday. A deep U.S. roster overcame Pulisic’s absence to clinch a knockout berth after only two matches for the first time. The last time the Americans […]

1 month ago

Associated Press

Eastern Washington wildfire forces evacuations and destroys homes

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — High winds drove a wildfire into a Spokane neighborhood, forcing the evacuation of about 1,200 people and potentially damaging or destroying up to 15 structures, according to fire officials. The Upriver Fire started at 12:17 p.m. Tuesday near Upriver Drive in northeast Spokane, said Fire District 9 spokesman Robert Gray. “It […]

1 month ago

signature attack millionaires' tax...

John Curley Show

‘A violation of the constitution’: Curley reacts after ‘unusual’ suspect arrested for stealing millionaires’ tax petition signatures

A man caught on video allegedly stealing signatures from a petition to repeal Washington's millionaires' tax has been arrested.

1 month ago

Unconstitutional! The 2/3rd require to raise taxes was thrown out by the courts BUT…