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2 senators to seek rule changes on tax bill vote requirement

The Columbian
Published: January 6, 2015, 4:00pm

OLYMPIA — Two Republican senators say they will propose changes to chamber rules in order to make it harder to raise taxes.

In a joint press release issued Wednesday, Sens. Doug Ericksen and Michael Baumgartner say their proposal will be raised Monday, when the legislative session begins.

Currently, a measure passes when 25 of the Senate’s 49 members approve it. The proposed rule change would apply only to tax measures being considered by the chamber by requiring two-thirds — or 33 — votes. The rule wouldn’t apply to the final passage of the bill, but would require the higher threshold for the procedural votes necessary to move the bills for a final vote on the floor.

In 2013, the Washington Supreme Court struck down an initiative-passed law requiring the legislative supermajority for tax hikes. But the lawmakers say each chamber is allowed to adopt its own procedural rules.

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