Condotta issues statement on court ruling on two-thirds vote requirement to raise taxes

Rep. Cary Condotta, R-East Wenatchee and ranking Republican on the House Labor And Workforce Development Committee released the following statement today regarding a King County Superior Court ruling that  Initiative 1053 is unconstitutional. The initiative, passed by a majority of voters in 2010 requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to raise taxes.

“The citizens of Washington state should be outraged. Voters have passed this initiative five times since 1993. I worked on many initiatives before becoming a legislator and understand how important it is for citizens to voice their support for or against public policy at the ballot box. The court overturning a ballot measure having been passed that many times undermines their voice. The lawsuit brought forward to overturn the two-thirds vote is without merit and politically motivated.

“I am excited Attorney General Rob McKenna will be appealing this case to the state Supreme Court. It is important we defend the voice of our citizens and see to it this initiative is upheld by the higher court.”

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Kurt Hammond, Public Information Officer, (509) 664-4055

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov