We filed our 2/3-for-taxes constitutional amendment initiative yesterday
From yesterday: “Jack, Mike, and I are really excited about today’s kick-off for our new initiative: LET THE VOTERS DECIDE ON A 2/3-FOR-TAXES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. I’ve come down from Mukilteo and Jack and Mike Fagan traveled over from Spokane with this message: we’ve got an initiative that, if qualified and approved by voters, will ensure permanent protection from Olympia’s propensity to raise taxes. 17 other states already enjoy these same protections — Washington voters support becoming #18. Just five months ago, 1.9 million voters passed Initiative 1185; they support it now more than ever. It is condescending and paternalistic for the Legislature to block the people from voting on a 2/3-for-taxes constitutional amendment because they want to protect us from making the “wrong” decision. It’s time for Olympia to drop their father-knows-best attitude and let the voters decide on a 2/3-for-taxes constitutional amendment.”
Great photo: http://www.spokesman.com/photos/2013/apr/24/205111/
Here’s what our new initiative does:
1) Requires yearly advisory votes every November: “Do you support or oppose having the legislature refer to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment requiring two-thirds legislative approval for raising taxes as defined by voter-approved Initiatives 960, 1053, and 1185?“ We call it the “ask the voters” clause.
2) Limits the duration of tax increases to one year. We call it the accountability clause.
3) Requires that the governor’s and legislators’ tax votes — tax increases imposed starting this year — appear below their candidate photos in the voters’ pamphlet (example: “This legislator imposed, without a vote of the people, the following tax increases: HB 2036 costing $6.4 billion, HB 1954 costing $5.8 billion, TOTAL: $12.2 billion”). We call it the sunshine clause.
Politicians hate ’em all, especially #3. So our initiative provides them with an escape clause: these 3 policies expire once the legislature approves, and refers to voters for ratification, a constitutional amendment requiring two-thirds legislative approval for raising taxes as defined by voter-approved Initiatives 960, 1053, and 1185.
Our message to the Legislature is clear: let us vote or learn to love our new initiative’s restrictions.
We need your help to raise the financial resources necessary to ensure this is a successful effort.