Anti-tax fever shows no signs of waning soon

We’ve been engaged in a 17-year tug-of-war over taxes in Washington.

For nearly two decades, we’ve utilized the people’s initiative process to help taxpayers communicate their opposition to higher taxes and fees. The voters have consistently supported our initiatives, and the impact of these ballot box victories is undeniable and quantifiable. Look at what we’ve accomplished together:

▪ The $30 car tab initiatives approved in 1999 and 2002 have directly saved taxpayers $20.95 billion so far.

▪ In 2001, voters approved the 1-percent property tax cap initiative that’s still the law today. Directly, that cap has saved taxpayers more than $11 billion so far.

Then there are the numerous initiatives requiring two-thirds legislative approval or voter approval for tax increases:

▪ After voters approved Initiative 960 in 2007, the Legislature didn’t raise a single tax in 2008 and 2009.

▪ After voters approved Initiative 1053 in 2010, there weren’t any tax increases in 2011 and 2012.

▪ After voters approved Initiative 1185 in 2012, there were no tax hikes in 2013 and 2014. Amazingly, during that high-turnout presidential year, I-1185 passed in all 39 counties and got more votes than any initiative in state history.

But a few months after I-1185 passed, the Supreme Court said we needed to pursue a constitutional amendment. We tried in 2013 and 2014 but didn’t make it. But we were persistent, and in 2015, we gave voters the chance to vote on I-1366.

It was our boldest initiative by far. It asked the voters: Do you support reducing sales taxes $1 billion per year unless the Legislature lets voters vote on a 2/3-for-taxes constitutional amendment?

Because it was so in-your-face, it got an unprecedented level of opposition. The entire media establishment, including The News Tribune, went bonkers.

Opponents, amplified by the media, used words like “blackmail” and “coercion” to describe I-1366. We used words liked “financial incentive.” Regardless of the characterization you prefer, it was 100 percent clear to voters that our initiative was intended to force the Legislature to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

And that’s what makes its approval so extraordinary. The fact that voters validated such an aggressive initiative shows you how adamantly they supported it. It passed in 35 of 39 counties, including Pierce.

How did taxpayers benefit from passage of I-1366? First, the Legislature didn’t raise a single tax this year. That alone is a huge accomplishment.

Second, in response to voters’ clear mandate, our allies in the House and Senate forced floor votes on a 2/3-for-taxes constitutional amendment. Every Republican voted to let the people vote, but not a single Democrat joined them. Every House and Senate Democrat ignored constituents’ wishes.

Thanks to I-1366, those floor votes have become a defining campaign issue in this year’s elections and will help voters determine which party controls the House and Senate next year.

We are obviously disappointed that Supreme Court ignored the attorney general’s persuasive defense of our initiative, disregarding the will of the people. The attorney general argued the people had every right to push for a vote on a 2/3-for-taxes constitutional amendment.

If you agree with the AG, then you can vote against the three incumbent justices on the ballot this year. As for us, we will learn from the experience, adapt and persevere.

It’s amazing how successful we’ve been protecting taxpayers, especially when you consider how much of the political, judicial and media establishment is against us. Our success comes from persistence. We will keep trying.

This story was originally published June 26, 2016 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Anti-tax fever shows no signs of waning soon."