FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2013
CONTACT: Kurt Hammond, Public Information Officer – (360) 786-7794
Rep. Paul Harris – (360) 786-7976
Harris issues statement on two-thirds court ruling, says constitutional amendment needed
The Washington State Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a requirement for a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to raise taxes. Rep. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, would like to see a constitutional amendment to reinstate the taxpayer protection measure. He is issued the following the statement: “Washington voters have passed a version of the two-thirds vote taxpayer protection five times in the last twenty years. It is time we put the two-thirds requirement in the state constitution so the courts and the Legislature must uphold it. That is why I have co-sponsored House Joint Resolution 4206, which would do just that. “The court decision basically tells the people it doesn’t care what you support at the polls, not once, but five times. No wonder people have lost their trust in government and the political process. Not only is the court calling the will of the people unconstitutional, but some of the people who filed the lawsuit against Initiative 1053, are serving in this very Legislature. They were elected by the people, to represent the people, then they file a lawsuit to throw out an initiative all 39 counties and 44 of 49 legislative districts supported. You can certainly understand voters’ frustration. “My other concern with the decision is this puts taxes back on the table before we look at reforms or efficiencies. People have had to make difficult decisions through this economic downturn and the Legislature needs to step up and do that also. This should not be used as an excuse to raise additional revenue before showing the public we have considered reforms or implemented efficiency measures.
For more information, visit our Web site at: houserepublicans.wa.gov.
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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov
455 John L. O’Brien Building
P.O. Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0600