KPLU Local News
(2010-03-04)
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I-960 Sponsor Tim Eyman Stands Next To Gov. Chris Gregoire As She Signs Legislation Suspending His Two-Thirds Vote Requirement For Tax Hikes
Austin Jenkins photo
Full story
In 2007, Washington voters approved Initiative 960 requiring a high hurdle for tax increases - a super-majority vote out of the legislature. Last week, Governor Chris Gregoire signed into law a suspension of that rule. It paves the way for majority Democrats in the Washington legislature to raise taxes this year with a simple majority vote to help balance a $2.7B budget gap. Pollster Adam Davis says Washington voters are clearly angry and disagree with this move.
Adam Davis: "They're hurting, number one. They really feel government is not delivering. They want to have some control. And they feel that something like a super-majority gives them that control."
Davis adds that public discontent with state government is the worst he's seen in thirty years. Anti-tax activist Tim Eyman sponsored Initiative 960. He's back again this year with a new initiative to reinstate the two-thirds vote requirement. I'm Austin Jenkins in Olympia.
The survey of 1200 people in Washington, Oregon and Idaho is a collaboration of the Northwest Health Foundation, pollsters Davis, Hibbitts and Midghall, and Northwest public radio stations, including KPLU.
For More Information:
Northwest Health Foundation's "Northwest OpinionScape" Survey from DHM Research, Portland, OR.
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