Democrats pushed too far. This time, Washington voters pushed back — with initiatives | Opinion

The people of Washington deserve congratulations for the great wins they achieved during our 2024 legislative session, which concluded March 7.

Because of them, we witnessed something historic — six citizen initiatives submitted to the Legislature in one year, of which three were already passed into law.

It’s news when one initiative receives enough voter signatures to move forward. The fact that more than 823,000 people signed in support of at least one measure — and the six attracted 2.6 million signatures collectively — shows how much the people want their voices heard.

The issues addressed by the initiatives vary widely. The three passed are I-2081, which reinforces parents’ “right to know” in K-12 public education; I-2111, which bans a personal income tax at any level of government; and I-2113, which restores the standard for police pursuits to “reasonable suspicion.”

Thousands of Washingtonians contacted their legislators, demanding committee hearings for the initiatives. Thousands more registered their support at those hearings and demanded the measures be approved.

It worked — at least for those three.

Looking at the process in the rearview mirror, questions linger. Why didn’t the Legislature consider all six? Why did majority Democrats allow any to pass, especially the repeal of the reactionary police-pursuit policy they fought so hard to keep in 2022 and 2023, despite its disastrous consequences? Did the initiatives get so much support because the majority has pushed the Legislature too far to the left?

That’s a lot to unpack.

First, Washington’s constitution requires legislators to prioritize initiatives above everything else except spending bills. Even so, the majority chose not to hold hearings on the three initiatives targeting taxes to which Democrats have tied important spending. Those will go to the ballot this November.

When the majority allowed votes on I-2081, I-2111 and I-2113 — which don’t involve current taxes — each passed easily with bipartisan support.

Second, the passage of I-2113 reflects the loud public outcry heard since Democrats tightened vehicular-pursuit rules during the defund-the-police movement. In Pierce County, the consequences of their mistake were most tragically illustrated by the story of 12-year-old Immaculee Goldade. Had police been allowed to pursue a stolen truck the day before, its driver would not have been free to cause her death.

Democrats argued I-2111 and I-2081 were unnecessary and pointless, as though passing them was simply to placate the people. Republicans see it differently.

Passing I-2111 finally puts Democrats on record as opposing an income tax. That includes the graduated personal income tax they have relentlessly pursued, even though our constitution forbids it. Imposing an income tax has long been a high priority for them. Having voted against an income tax 11 times in one way or another, the people clearly do not agree.

Although many of the parents’ rights collected in I-2081 are already scattered across state law, the Legislature, local school boards, and even some teachers and administrators have not respected those rights. Passing I-2081 drives home the message that parents are critical stakeholders in their children’s public education and deserve a say.

Finally, have Democrats pushed the Legislature too far to the left? Absolutely. You don’t get 2.6 million signatures unless they feel strongly about the policies forced upon them.

People are sick of fearing for their safety and seeing businesses leave because Democrats prioritize the rights of criminals over public safety and the rights of victims. They are tired of their values and beliefs being ignored by the public-school system. They know the lack of a state income tax fits with our culture here in Washington and offers a competitive economic advantage.

The Legislature had its say by passing three initiatives. The people will get their say in November on the remaining three: I-2117, which would repeal the state’s “cap-and-trade” climate policy; I-2109, to repeal the state capital-gains income tax; and I-2124, which would let Washington workers opt out of the mandatory payroll tax for the state-run long-term care program called “WA Cares.”

Make no mistake, all six initiatives are the people’s way of saying, loud and clear, “Enough is enough. We will be heard.”

Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.

This story was originally published March 21, 2024 at 5:00 AM.