The Washington Attorney General’s Office informed Secretary of State Sam Reed on Monday that two tax measures approved by the 2012 Legislature must go to the November ballot for a public advisory vote.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It’s the first time for a voter-mandated plebiscite for taxes passed in Olympia.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The two bills cited in a letter from Solicitor General Maureen Hart are provisions in House Bill 2590, dealing with the state pollution liability insurance trust account, and Senate Bill 6635, an omnibus bill dealing with tax preferences, including a provision removing a special tax treatment for certain large banks. During debate, the banking provision was described as an $18 million boost to the state treasury. Both bills were deemed tax increases.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The non-binding tax advisory votes are the first to be triggered by Tim Eyman’s Initiative 960, adopted by voters in 2007. That measure, which also requires a two-thirds vote to approve taxes in Olympia, requires taxes approved by the Legislature be submitted to voters for their view.\u00a0 After seeing the results of the advisory vote this November, the Legislature can revisit the issue, or let their original votes stand.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Both 2012 measures passed handily. In the case of HB2590, the vote was almost unanimous \u2013 40-0 in the Senate and 93-1 in the House.\u00a0 For SB6635, the vote was lopsided, more than a two-thirds vote in each chamber: Senate, 35-10; House 74-24.\u00a0Gov. Chris Gregoire signed both bills on May 2.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The HB2590 text is here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n