A new challenge to I-1366
As expected, a lawsuit has been filed in King County Superior Court questioning the constitutionality of I-1366. Voters approved the initiative earlier this month (51.5 percent to 48.5 percent). Generally voters are allowed to vote on initiatives, even if there's a strong chance the initiative will be declared unconstitutional later. In a pre-election lawsuit, a King County Superior […]
November 19 , 2015 - Mary Strow
November 18 , 2015 - Lew Moore
Talking on Your Cell Phone: A Sin?
Washington state residents now pay the highest wireless user taxes in the country. A staggering statewide average of 18.69% (consisting of state and local taxes), combined with the added federal tax rate of 6.46%, gives Washingtonians the only wireless tax rate above 25% in the nation. Reaching for that cell phone may not be as […]
November 12 , 2015 - Emily Makings
Supreme Court's reasoning on I-1366 illustrates its complexity
In September, the state Supreme Court allowed Initiative 1366 to be on the ballot (it's currently leading 51.79 percent to 48.21 percent). Today the Court released its reasoning. It argues that, because of the two stated options in the initiative (sales tax cut or two-thirds majority constitutional amendment), the true purpose of the initiative is unclear. A King […]
November 10 , 2015 - Mary Strow
Aerospace tax incentives work
WRC President Lew Moore spoke to Seattle's KIRO TV yesterday about the benefits of Boeing and aerospace industry tax incentives for Washington state. In response to union criticism about 777X tax incentives originally approved in 2003 and extended by the Legislature and governor in 2013, Lew stressed that they are working: "The incentive was passed in 2003," said Moore. […]
November 05 , 2015 - Mary Strow
November 05 , 2015 - Emily Makings
What's next for I-1366?
The latest returns have Initiative 1366 leading by 53.13 percent to 46.87 percent. But even if that lead holds, the measure will be challenged in court. I-1366 would reduce the state sales tax from 6.5 percent to 5.5 percent on April 15, 2016 — unless the state Legislature refers a constitutional amendment to voters requiring a two-thirds […]
October 30 , 2015 - Mary Strow
October 21 , 2015 - Mary Strow
House committee explores K-12 financing
Yesterday in Olympia the House Finance Committee looked at how public schools are funded, here in Washington and nationwide. Committee staff prepared in-depth reports with lots of information (the Research Council in 2013 published a report on on K-12 financing, comparing Washington’s funding to other states’. You can read that here). Some highlights: Washington differs […]
October 09 , 2015 - Mary Strow