Statement from Rep. Norma Smith on state Supreme Court overturning taxpayer protections
Rep. Norma Smith, R-Clinton and the ranking Republican on the House Technology and Economic Development Committee, issued the following statement today regarding the state Supreme Court’s ruling on the two-thirds legislative vote requirement to raise taxes:
“This court decision is an affront to the will of the people of Washington state and positive efforts to accelerate our economic recovery. Every Washingtonian, especially those struggling to make ends meet, may feel the impact of this decision.
“This could affect opportunities for our underemployed and unemployed to find good-paying, family-wage jobs. By lowering the bar for the Legislature to raise taxes, the court took away certainty and stability from our job creators. Our economy is struggling and now the threat of increased taxes looms over our consumers and employers.
“I am also concerned this puts taxes back on the table before we look at reforms or efficiencies. People have had to make difficult decisions through this economic downturn and the Legislature needs to step up and do that also. Unfortunately, the state Supreme Court ruled that though voters have passed an initiative five times requiring a two-thirds supermajority vote to increase taxes – it is unconstitutional. “This just erodes the public trust with Legislature even further. Some members of the majority party who filed this lawsuit continue to serve in the Legislature.”
