In Olympia, Republican Sen. Pam Roach (right) speaks in support of a measure that would have put a constitutional amendment, related to tax increases, before voters.

In Olympia, Republican Sen. Pam Roach (right) speaks in support of a measure that would have put a constitutional amendment, related to tax increases, before voters.

State Senate rejects constitutional amendment on tax increases

OLYMPIA — The state Senate on Friday failed to reach the required vote threshold to send voters a constitutional amendment asking if they want to require a two-thirds super-majority in the Legislature for future tax increases.

Senate Joint Resolution 8211 failed in the Republican-led chamber because only 26 senators — 25 Republicans and a Democrat who caucuses with them — voted in support, shy of the 33 votes needed. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and House before they can be sent to the ballot for a public vote.

“Taxpayers want a higher bar to raise taxes, to take money from them,” said Republican Sen. Andy Hill of Redmond, the Senate’s main budget writer.

Currently, taxes can be raised when 25 of the Senate’s 49 members approve them.

Democrats argued that the measure would limit the Legislature’s ability to remove tax exemptions at a time when they’re trying to find funding for education and mental health, and would give a minority of the Legislature the ability to veto any tax increase or exemption repeal.

“We have a constitutional republic for a reason and super-majority empowers the minority of 17 to control one half of the entire ledger of how the people’s money flows,” said Sen. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle. “We’re better than this as a state.”

The vote comes just weeks after a King County Superior court judge struck down a voter-approved initiative that would have cut the sales tax by 1 percentage point, beginning April 15, unless lawmakers allow a public vote on an amendment that would require a two-thirds super-majority in the Legislature for future tax increases.

The state Supreme granted expedited review to an appeal of the ruling, and oral arguments will be held on Initiative 1366 on March 15.

Republican Sen. Pam Roach of Sumner, the sponsor of SJR 8211, said that a constitutional amendment is needed because “the people really did speak and we did not listen.”

“We have an opportunity to give to the people what they want,” she said.

Republicans brought the measure to the floor knowing that that it would fail, as did Democrats who still tried to pass several amendments, including one that would have not allowed a two-thirds requirement to eliminate or change tax exemptions “when used to meet the State’s paramount duty to fund basic education.”

“If they’re going to play politics on the Senate floor, I think we deserve a conversation about education and about transparency,” said Sen. Marko Liias, D-Everett. “We tried to push the debate back on issues folks care about at home instead of this political theater.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

The Washington State University Snohomish County Extension building at McCollum Park is located in an area Snohomish County is considering for the location of the Farm and Food Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Year-round indoor farmers market inches closer to reality near Mill Creek

The Snohomish County Farm and Food Center received $5 million in federal funding. The county hopes to begin building in 2026.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.