Initiatives on charter schools, taxes likely to make ballot

OLYMPIA -- It looks like voters will once again be deciding whether to allow charter schools and continue limits on lawmakers' ability to raise taxes.

Supporters of separate initiatives dealing with the perennial political topics turned in petitions this morning, and both measures appear to have enough signatures to earn a spot on the November ballot.

Charter school backers delivered more than 350,000 signatures for Initiative 1240, which aims to end the state's prohibition on an alternative school model now allowed in 41 states.

The measure permits opening up to 40 schools in the next five years, each managed by a "qualified nonprofit" under the terms of an agreement known as a charter.

Also this morning, Tim Eyman of Mukilteo filed signatures for Initiative 1185, which requires any new or higher tax to be approved by a two-thirds majority of both the state House and Senate or by a popular vote.

The measure would maintain restrictions imposed by voters with passage of Initiative 1053 in 2010. Eyman said he turned in 316,000 signatures.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com