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House Democrats refuse to
say whether they will respect the will of the people, I-960
House Republicans press for answers, taxpayer
protection
House
Republicans
are asking House Speaker Frank Chopp to rule on
whether the Washington State House of Representatives can repeal an
established tax exemption with a simple majority vote. They believe it
should take a two-thirds vote, as outlined by voter-approved
Initiative 960. Speaker Pro Tempore Jeff Morris
ducked the underlying question in the following exchange with
Republican House Floor Leader Doug Ericksen on the House
floor today:
Rep.
Ericksen: "Mr. Speaker,
I am considering having an amendment drafted to one of the bills on
today's second reading calendar -- House Bill 1504. But in order to
draft the amendment I need to find out if a bill, such as House Bill
1504, which removes a tax exemption, will be considered to have 'raised
taxes' as that term is defined in Initiative Measure 960. I would point
specifically, Mr. Speaker, to how the term 'raises taxes' is defined in
RCW
43.135.035 Section 6 as meaning any action or combination of actions
by the Legislature that increases state tax revenue deposited in any
fund, budget or account, regardless of whether revenues are deposited
into the general fund. As currently drafted, Mr. Speaker, does HB 1504
require a two-thirds vote of the full House to pass?"
Rep. Morris: "The Speaker would like to rule that because we do
not have a final question before the body, which would be on third
reading and final passage, the ruling would have to be speculative in
nature. The Speaker does not issue advisory opinions or speculative
opinions on bills before they reach a final question before the body.
Because your motion is not one that is timely with the final
consideration of the bill, it is out of order. Your point is not well
taken."
House
Republican Leader Richard DeBolt responded to today's
development with:
"Any action by the Legislature that would
require someone to pay more of their money to state government is a tax
increase and should require a two-thirds majority of the Legislature to
be passed into law. We think the voters were clear about that when they
approved Initiative 960. The citizens wanted protection from unnecessary
tax hikes being enacted at the whim of the majority party," said
DeBolt, R-Chehalis. "It’s not entirely clear if the majority
intends to abide by the voter-approved safeguards against higher taxes.
Several Democrat tax increases are being proposed, and we Republicans
are standing firm in our commitment to balance the state budget without
placing any additional burdens on the citizens of our state."
# # #
For more information, contact:
Lisa Fenton, Communications
Director - (360) 786-7728
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