Judge To Rule Thursday on Legality of I-1366 Super Majority Tax Law

Last November, voters approved Tim Eyman's latest tax rollback measure, which would require a two-thirds super majority of votes in the House and Senate for state tax increases. The measure also would cut the state's sales tax by 1% if the legislature fails by April 15th to put it on the ballot for voters to approve a Constitutional amendment. The amendment would require a majoritycitizen vote.

According to KIRO-TV in Seattle, King County Superior Court Judge William Downing has said he will rule by Thursday whether the initiative is 'legal' under the state's Constitution. Opponents claim the measure was confusing, and voters were not sure what they were approving. By making it a Constitutional amendment, the House and Senate would be forced to follow the two-thirds vote regardless of opinions or opposition.

According to KIRO-7:

" I-1366 calls for voters to have the say in amending the constitution to require a two-thirds majority on new taxes.  To get a constitutional amendment, two thirds of the House and Senate would have to agree to put it on the ballot.  Then a majority of voters have to say yes.

Insiders in Olympia told KIRO 7 the legislature is waiting to see what the court does.  Eyman is hopeful the judge will take action at a hearing Thursday."

The losing side, say observers, is likely to then take their case to the State Supreme Court. This is the sixth time since 1992 that voters have approved this type of measure, requiring a two-thirds majority vote in House or Senate to raise taxes by the Legislature.