SEATTLE (AP) — A judge has ruled a lawsuit challenging the tax initiative that requires a supermajority of the Legislature to raise taxes should go forward.
in a brief ruling with no comment, King County Superior Court Judge Bruce E. Heller granted the request for summary judgement in the case brought by the League of Education Voters, the teacher’s union, parents, taxpayers and lawmakers.
Initiative 1053 was approved by Washington voters in November 2010 and has madew it extremely difficult for lawmakers to adopt tax increases since then.
The coalition’s lawyers believe the initiative violates the intent of the state constitution. Lawyers representing the state government say the case was brought prematurely because no one has effectively challenged the initiative during the legislative process.
The state of Washington is the defendant because once voters approve an initiative it becomes state law.
