OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Legislature’s Democratic majority is clearing the way for tax increases with its first major vote to brush aside Initiative 960.

But Senate Democrats say they accidentally voted on the wrong version of the bill, and will have to re-vote on a different bill as soon as possible.

In a 26-23 vote Tuesday, the Senate moved to suspend until July 2011 the requirement that any tax increases get approval from two-thirds of the Legislature.

Majority Democrats say they need to raise taxes to help balance the state budget.

Republicans resisted the change, saying the majority was thwarting the will of voters.

But in an unusual Tuesday night statement, Senate Democrats say they actually meant to suspend all of I-960, including public advisory votes on tax hikes.

Approved by voters in 2007, I-960 required that any tax increases win approval from two-thirds of the Legislature — a very difficult hurdle to clear. The 26-23 vote Tuesday endorsed suspension of that rule until July 2011, when the next two-year budget cycle begins.

Democrats, however, said they actually meant to suspend the entirety of I-960, including the requirement for public advisory votes on tax increases that are deemed an emergency by lawmakers. It was unclear how quickly the majority would be able to get a replacement bill to the floor.

“Suspending the entire initiative allows for prompt action now, avoiding the added delay and additional cost to the state that a November public advisory vote would require,” said Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Margarita Prentice, D-Renton.

Democratic lawmakers plan to increase taxes and cut spending to balance the state’s $2.6 billion budget deficit, but they don’t have enough members to get a two-thirds vote in either the Senate or House.

Lawmakers can amend initiatives with a simple majority vote after they’ve been on the books for two years, making this the first legislative session that Democrats can suspend I-960.

The changes to I-960 must clear both chambers and be signed into law by Gov. Chris Gregoire before lawmakers can move ahead with tax-raising votes. Gregoire is expected to approve the Legislature’s plan.

Republican senators, stuck in a minority that affords them little control over legislative proceedings, loudly objected to the bill Tuesday, saying Democrats were ignoring the will of voters.

“We’ll be telling the people to shut up and pay up, and we know what’s best,” said Sen. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake.

Democrats, however, pointed out that both parties have suspended and amended voter-approved laws over the years, including initiatives that passed with much larger margins than I-960’s 51 percent.

Setting aside I-960’s tax hurdle is necessary to sustain critical education, health care and social service programs and ensure that more workers don’t head for the unemployment line, Democrats said.

“The depth of the crisis we have here is the worst since the Great Depression,” said Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam.

The bill approved on a 26-23 vote Tuesday was much less sweeping than its original draft, which would have altered several provisions of I-960 beyond the two-thirds vote requirement.

Democrats said there is a need to raise revenue because balancing the budget solely through spending cuts would imperil vital programs that serve those most in need in the state. Several lawmakers said the decision did not come easy but they felt confident their constituents would back this temporary suspension when they fully understood the purpose.

“It is not an easy vote, but it is the right vote,” said Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Medina.

Republicans repeatedly criticized Democrats for, they said, ignoring of the will of the people by moving to override the initiative.

Sen. Val Stevens, R-Arlington, said the majority party was behaving as if they are superior to voters and don’t think the people knew what they were doing in 2007 when they passed the initiative.

Five Democrats, including Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, joined all 18 Senate Republicans in voting against the measure.

State lawmakers are on course to suspend the two-thirds majority for the third time this decade; the previous instances came in 2002 and 2005.

Gov. Chris Gregoire has said she can support suspension of the supermajority vote requirement this session. On Monday, she declined to formally endorse the bill until it makes its way to her desk.

How they voted

Yes

Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island; Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell; Paull Shin, D-Edmonds; Jean Berkey, D-Everett; and Darlene Fairley, D-Lake Forest Park

No

Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens; Val Stevens, R-Arlington.

Initiative 960

Under Initiative 960 passed by voters in 2007, a two-thirds majority in each chamber of the Legislature or a vote of the people is required to raise taxes. State law allows for initiatives to be altered two years following their passage. That waiting period has expired.

To read the bill

Senate Bill 6843 to suspend Initiative 960 can be read online at www.leg.wa.gov.