Editorials / Opinion

Seattle voters pay for service demands

The March 1 editorial on the state Supreme Court decision left the impression that Seattle voters are uniquely pointy-headed tax-lovers [“Two-thirds law dumped, but sentiment remains,” Opinion].

Do you miss the obvious — that Seattle voters are simply willing to pay for the services we demand? Perhaps voters in other parts of the state are not.

–Dennis J. Ortblad, Seattle

Stronger opinion needed

What a wimpish reaction The Seattle Times editorial board voiced to the state Supreme Court’s wise 6-3 ruling that it’s unconstitutional to require a two-third vote in the Legislature to raise taxes [“Two-thirds law dumped, but sentiment remains,” Opinion, March 1].

The board’s strongest opinion, apparently, is that lawmakers and the governor would be in big trouble with the public if they raised taxes by a simple majority vote. Well, so what?

Does the editorial board have no opinion on the merits of the current two-thirds requirement? If you favor it, then say so. If not, then say that. Quit mincing around the bush!

–David Behrendt, Edmonds

Sen. Ed Murray works for the state, not a political party

While responding to Thursday’s ruling by the state Supreme Court that requiring two-thirds vote by the Legislature to raise taxes was unconstitutional, Sen. Pam Roach, center, wears her thoughts on her shirt. Amber Carter, left, director of tax policies for the Association of Washington Businesses and Sen. Don Benton, right, are also pictured. (JOHN LOK/THE SEATTLE TIMES)

How can Senate Democratic Leader Ed Murray say the state Supreme Court’s overturning the two-thirds voting requirement protects us from the tyranny of the minority [“Raising taxes gets easier — and politically harder,” page one, March 1]?

The voters last November approved it by 64 percent. Sen. Murray, that is a majority!

Murray shows the public his lack of understanding of his duty. He works for the citizens of the state of Washington, not a political party.

What a shame the political process of the state Supreme Court has fallen to this level.

–Leo M. Riley, Bellevue

Government programs need tax money

People want roads, bridges, public transportation, public schools, police protection, social services and other government programs, but they don’t want to pay for any of it. They vote for Tim Eyman’s anti-tax initiatives and scream when asked to pay road tolls.

By voting for anti-tax initiatives and candidates, they risk turning our highways into parking lots, our kids into losers and our cities into encampments for the homeless and mentally ill.

Moreover, they irrationally vote against their own self-interest, because Washington state has the most regressive tax system in the nation, but we have no high earners’ state income tax.

–Don Smith, Bellevue