The Seattle Times political team explores national, state and local politics.
SubscribeApril 22, 2013 at 12:43 PM
Tim Eyman plans initiative limiting tax increases to one year
Tim Eyman says he plans to file an initiative this year that would limit the duration of all new tax increases to one year.
The measure would be his response to a recent state Supreme Court ruling overturning an earlier Eyman initiative that required a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate, or voter approval, to increase taxes.
“Because the 2/3 law is no more, they (lawmakers) can raise taxes with a simple majority vote. But under our initiative, such tax increases will expire one year later,” Eyman said in a statement. “The only way a tax increase can continue is for them to pass it the next year too.”
Eyman says he plans to file the measure this week, although he won’t say whether he’s aiming for the 2013 or 2014 fall ballot.
In addition to limiting tax increases to one year, he said it also would require yearly advisory votes asking voters if they support a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to increase taxes.
Comments | More in Politics Northwest, State legislature | Topics: initiative, tax increases, Tim Eyman
November 10, 2012 at 5:01 PM
Charter schools backers claim victory in WA
The Associated Press
There are ballots left to be counted, but backers of Washington’s charter school initiative have claimed victory.
With about 90 percent of ballots expected counted Saturday, Initiative 1240 was passing with 51 percent of the vote — a 41,689-vote gap. There are about 315,000 ballots received statewide that have not been tallied. The initiative was losing in King County, the state’s largest.
Washington voters have rejected the proposal four times since 1995.
If results hold, Washington would become the 42nd state to allow the public independent schools.
Supporters say the charter proposal would offer new choices for struggling kids and their families. Opponents say charters have a mixed track record in other states and they would take away money from regular public schools.
Comments | More in Politics Northwest | Topics: charter schools, initiative, victory
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