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Gov. Gregoire expected to officially suspend Washington's I-960
February 24, 2010
OLYMPIA, Washington: Today, Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign a bill that proposes suspending Washington's I-960, a measure that was approved by voters in 2007. I-960 required that in order for the Washington State Legislature to raise taxes, the legislature would have to approve any tax increases with a two-thirds supermajority vote or submit tax increase proposals to a statewide vote of the electorate. "To make way for tax increases to help close a $2.6 billion state budget gap and stave off severe cuts to state services," legislators proposed suspending the law.[1] On February 17, 2010 the House approved the temporary suspension of I-960 after a 51-47 vote.[2] Shortly thereafter the Senate voted 26-21 in favor of suspending I-960. The bill now moves to Gov. Gregoire for final approval.[3][4] According to reports the governor was scheduled to sign the bill on February 24 at 10 a.m. PST, however it was pushed back to was moved to 4 p.m.[5]
In an effort to maintain the two-thirds supermajority requirement for tax increases, Tim Eyman has filed Washington Initiative 1053 (2010). Eyman filed the language for the proposed initiative on January 11. He was joined by several co-sponsors, including Republican state senators Pam Roach and Janea Holmquist.[6]
See also
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- Washington 2010 ballot measures
- Washington Rules for Approving Tax Increases, Initiative 960 (2007)
- Washington Initiative 1053 (2010)
Footnotes
- ↑ Seattle Times, "Eyman will push to restore tax barrier," January 12, 2010
- ↑ The Seattle Times, "State House approves I-960 suspension," February 18, 2010
- ↑ Associated Press, "Wash. Legislature OKS suspension of I-960," February 22, 2010
- ↑ The Spokesman-Review, "State senate approves I-960 suspension for the third time," February 22, 2010
- ↑ Associated Press, "Gov. Gregoire changes tax bill signing time," February 24, 2010 (dead link)
- ↑ Office of the Washington Secretary of State, "Another round of Eyman vs. Legislature begins," January 11, 2010
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