For 2015: The 2/3-For-Taxes Constitutional Amendment Initiative
Why have we been successful over the past 16 years? Because we are persistent, we are relentless. We never, ever, ever give up.
We do it ’til it gets done.
We’re thrilled with today’s kick-off for our 2015 initiative: The 2/3-For-Taxes Constitutional Amendment Initiative. It’s time to provide permanent protection from Olympia’s insatiable tax appetite. Best of all, once we get our 2/3-for-taxes constitutional amendment passed, politicians can’t change it. Pass it once and it lasts forever.
The voters have consistently supported requiring 2/3 legislative approval or voter approval for tax hikes, and majority legislative approval for fee increases (requiring the Legislature to vote on individual fee increases, thus stopping state agencies from increasing fees on their own). 5 times the voters have approved 2/3 initiatives – 3 of them sponsored by us (I-960 in 2007, I-1053 in 2010, and I-1185 in 2012). The last one, in 2012, got more votes than any initiative in state history. It got more votes than Inslee got. It got more votes than Obama got. It passed in every county. Almost 2/3 of voters support the 2/3!
Adding a 2/3-for-taxes amendment to our state Constitution keeps Governor Inslee and the tax-hiking Democrats on a short leash. It reinforces Republican legislators who sometimes go wobbly. But more importantly, it means 10/20/50/100 years from now, the taxpayers of Washington will be protected from Olympia’s propensity to raise taxes. It will ensure that taking more of the people’s money will always be an absolute last resort.
17 other states have in their state Constitutions a supermajority vote requirement for tax increases – let’s make Washington state #18.
We’re thrilled with our newest 2/3 initiative because we know it’ll pass (almost 2/3 of voters support the 2/3). The challenge is getting our initiative on the ballot.
Last year’s initiative signature drive fell short. Why? Because we didn’t work hard enough (that means all of us, including Jack, Mike, and me). We need everyone to redouble their efforts.
With Inslee shattering his veto-taxes promises, with Democrats jumping on his tax-hiking bandwagon, and with Republicans having only the slimmest of majorities in only one chamber of the Legislature, the taxpayers of Washington are feeling extremely vulnerable to Olympia’s insatiable tax appetite.
The 2/3-For-Taxes Constitutional Amendment Initiative is the best way for taxpayers to protect themselves now and in the future.
Initiative 1366 is, by far, the most exciting, impactful, needed initiative we’ve ever done. And it’ll protect us forever. Please help us make it a reality.
Petitions are being printed and will be mailed out soon to our regular supporters. We have until July 2nd — about 150 days — to collect 320,000 voter signatures. That’s over 2000 signatures PER DAY! Once we qualify, we will vote on it this November.
We ask for your help – both financial support and signature collection – to ensure the success of this critically important initiative.