Ruling on I-1366 released today: 9 judges ignore 1.9 million voters
For 17 years, we have continued to learn, adapt and persevere.
In 1999, voters passed I-695 with 56% of the vote. Courts said no, but Governor Gary Locke and the Democrat-controlled Legislature responded by passing a bill implementing 695’s key policy, the elimination of the state motor vehicle excise tax.
In 2001, voters passed I-747 with 58% of the vote. Years later, the court said no, but Governor Chris Gregoire and the Democrat-controlled Legislature responded by passing a bill implementing 747’s key policy, the 1% property tax cap.
In both instances, the Governor and legislators respected the people’s decision. But when Jay Inslee and the Democrats took control of Olympia, they stopped respecting the people.
In 2012, voters passed I-1185 with 65% of the vote. In February 2013, the courts said no, but for 3 years Governor Jay Inslee and the Democrat-dominated Legislature refused to implement 1185’s key policy, the 2/3 legislative vote requirement for tax increases.
So last year, we sponsored and voters passed I-1366 which, for the 6th time, tried to get politicians to implement the voters’ tougher-to-raise-taxes policy.
Today, 9 judges on the state supreme court ruled against Initiative 1366 because they claimed it violated the single subject rule. Jack, Mike, and I obviously think that the Attorney General and our lawyer Dick Stephens proved that it didn’t. One thing is for sure: the 1.9 million voters who support the 2/3 haven’t changed their minds as a result of today’s ruling — voters are 100% opposed to tax increases.
Thanks to the overwhelming approval of I-1366, legislators during the 2016 session forced floor votes in the House and Senate on the referral of a 2/3-for-taxes constitutional amendment to the ballot. Every single Republican in the House voted yes, supporting the people’s right to vote. But not a single House Democrat joined them. Every member of the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus voted yes (all 25 Republicans and Democrat Senator Tim Sheldon) but not one of the Democrat Senators joined them.
It’s the Democrats fault that I-1366 wasn’t implemented. It’s their fault your vote didn’t count.
58 Democrats are elected from districts with voters who overwhelmingly support the 2/3 policy. Not one of those 58 Democrats respected their voters — every single one of them stuck their finger in the eye of the people they’re elected to represent.
We’re fighting back against this injustice by the Democrats two ways:
1) Un-electing Democrats who disrespected their constituents. Here they are:
Here they are:
LD 01 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Rosemary McAuliffe, Derek Stanford, and Luis Moscoso
LD 03 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Andy Billig, Marcus Riccelli, and Timm Ormsby
LD 05 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Mark Mullett (elect his pro-2/3 challenger Chad Magendanz)
LD 19 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Dean Takko, JD Rossetti, and Brian Blake
LD 21 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Marko Liias, Strom Peterson, and Lillian Ortiz-Self
LD 23 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Christine Rolfes, Sherry Appleton, and Drew Hansen
LD 24 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Jim Hargrove, Kevin Van De Wege, and Steve Tharinger
LD 27 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Jeannie Darneille, Laurie Jinkins, and Jake Fey
LD 28 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Christine Kilduff (elect pro-2/3 challenger Mike Winkler)
LD 29 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Steve Conway, David Sawyer, and Steve Kirby
LD 31 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Chris Hurst (elect his pro-2/3 challenger Phil Fortunato)
LD 32 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Maralyn Chase, Cindy Ryu, and Ruth Kagi
LD 33 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Karen Keiser, Tina Orwall, and Mia Gregerson
LD 38 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
John McCoy, June Robinson, and Mike Sells
LD 40 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Kevin Ranker, Kristine Lytton, and Jeff Morris
LD 41 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Tana Senn and Judy Clibborn
LD 44 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Steve Hobbs and Hans Dunshee
LD 45 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Roger Goodman and Larry Springer
LD 47 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Pat Sullivan (elect his pro-2/3 challenger Barry Knowles)
LD 48 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Cyrus Habib, Patty Kuderer, and Joan McBride
LD 49 — http://www.two-thirds-to-
Annette Cleveland, Sharon Wylie, and Jim Moeller
This is a critical effort that we will continue to promote it from now until November.
In addition, Jack, Mike, and I are committed to protecting taxpayers with our follow-up initiatives “Tougher To Raise Taxes” and “Bring Back Our $30 Car Tabs.”
We are junk-yard dogs when it comes to this stuff. So you can count on us to keep trying.
But whether we continue to succeed or not is up to you. We will keep winning on behalf of taxpayers as long as your financial support continues. Please make a donation today. With your help and support, we have accomplished extraordinary things for the taxpayers of Washington. Help us continue.
PO Box 6151 Olympia, WA, 98507
