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.