Initiative 1366
Election Results
| Option | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 480,046 | 54.02% |
| No | 408,650 | 45.98% |
* Race percentages are calculated with data from the Secretary of State's Office, which omits write-in votes from its calculations when there are too few to affect the outcome. The Spokane County Auditor's Office may have slightly different percentages than are reflected here because its figures include any write-in votes.
About the Measure
Proposal: Would require the Legislature to approve and send to voters by April 15 a constitutional amendment that requires two-thirds super-majorities in both chambers to pass any future tax increase. If the Legislature doesn’t comply, the state’s sales tax would be reduced by 1 percent.
Background: If this seems like a familiar concept, that’s because voters have been asked to approve such super-majorities for tax increases five times since 1993. Voters regularly said yes, but after the first two times, the Legislature changed it back to a simple majority after two years, which is possible with initiatives. After I-1185 was approved in 2012, the concept was challenged in the state Supreme Court, which said such a change requires a constitutional amendment. But an amendment can’t come through the initiative process, it must start in the Legislature. I-1366 seeks to use the initiative process to force the Legislature to send an amendment to the ballot.
Supporting: This is the latest measure from perennial initiative developers Tim Eyman, of Mukilteo, and Mike and Jack Fagan, of Spokane, who also sponsored the previous versions. They point to strong voter support for the idea as a way to protect the public from a tax-hungry Legislature. It also has support from many conservative Republicans in the Legislature, and the state GOP. The campaign has raised $1.7 million, spending most of it to gather signatures to qualify for the ballot. Biggest financial backer is Clyde Holland, chairman of a Vancouver-based development company, who has given $540,000
Opposing: Permanent Defense with the Northwest Progressive Institute, perennial Eyman foes, and other progressive groups, labor organizations and many state Democrats oppose this measure, saying it gives control of tax decisions to a small minority in the Legislature who can vote against any proposal. They also argue that it’s unconstitutional because it tries to do indirectly with an initiative what the court already has said can’t be done directly. An opposition committee has raised $25,000, with $15,000 from the Service Employees International Union and $10,000 from the Federation of State Employees.
Prospects: A statewide survey by Elway Polls in July found the measure had a 49 percent approval rating, which is a bad position because approval is more likely to go down than up as an election approaches. Eyman also has some problems with the Public Disclosure Commission from past elections which could affect this campaign. If I-1366 passes, a court challenges is expected.
Complete Coverage
Tax super majority amendment heads to Senate
A proposed constitutional amendment to require tax increases to be approved by a two-thirds super majority moved out of Senate committee Thursday morning.
House rejects fast track for super majority amendment
House Republicans tried unsuccessfully to maneuver around committee hearings for a proposed constitutional amendment to require two-thirds majorities for tax increases.
Eyman has $650K already for 2016 campaign
Perennial initiative activist Tim Eyman has secured $650,000 for next year’s campaigns, even before he can file a real ballot measure.
Spin Control: Fighting over initiatives is premature
New initiatives have interesting ideas, but aren’t serious yet.
Sunday Spin: Initiatives as tactics
OLYMPIA – Initiative entrepreneur Tim Eyman and his detractors squared off recently in the Capitol, where the ingenuity of their latest ideas was overshadowed by doubts about their earnestness.
Tax hike initiative wasn’t clearly unconstitutional, Supreme Court says
Court explains why it didn’t block I-1366 from the ballot, leaves open the question of whether it will survive a future challenge.
Sunday Spin2: Some campaign tactics to rethink
The 2015 election won’t set any records, but it may have provided us with a few tactics which future campaigns might want to avoid.
Editorial: Supreme Court should quickly take up case on legality of I-1366
A legal challenge to the budget-smashing Initiative 1366 should be pursued as soon as possible.
Measures passing on animal protection, tax restrictions
Washington voters overwhelmingly supported a new law to protect endangered animals, and seemed likely to pass by a much smaller margin another attempt to force the Legislature to approve tax increases by a supermajority. Initiative 1401, dubbed the Save Animals Facing Extinction measure, was approved by 70 percent of the ballots counted Tuesday night, prompting supporters to declare it a clear message that states can help protect endangered animals around the world.
Animal protection, tax restriction measures passing
Washington voters gave overwhelming support to a new law to protect endangered animals, and seemed likely to pass by a much smaller margin another attempt to force the Legislature to approve tax increases by a supermajority.
Under I-1366, a superduperminority would rule
If you want lawmakers to stop working together, vote for I-1366, because it would give a superduperminority of 17 legislators the power to stop a basic education tax plan.
Editorial: 2015 endorsements wrap-up
Agree with The Spokesman-Review, or not, vote.
Poll: Tax initiative support slipping, animal initiative strong
Voter support may be waning for I-1366, the supermajority for tax increases proposal, but remains strong for I-1401, the animal protection measure, the Elway Poll suggests
I-1366 is another swing at tax supermajority requirement
I-1366 tries to force the Legislature into a super-majority to pass tax increases.
Elway Poll: Voters split on tax initiative; animal measure leading
Voters are evenly split on the latest initiative that would require supermajorities to approve taxes but seem strongly in favor of one that would have extra penalties for selling ivory and products from endangered animals, a new Elway Poll says.
Editorial: I-1366 a surefire way to gridlock, or education cuts
Tim Eyman’s latest budget-exploding initiative could be his worst. It could also be his last. Voters should send it to a resounding defeat.
Ann Murphy: I-1366 would block tax reform, deny schools needed funds
Retaliatory sales tax cut would reverse legislative efforts to comply with primary constitutional obligation to fund Washington schools.
Mike Fagan: I-1366 will restrain tax-happy Legislature
Constitutional amendment requiring two-thirds vote on taxes would force lawmakers to cut spending first.
Eyman trying to stick to latest initiative, avoid questions over past actions
As Tim Eyman campaigns for his latest tax-limiting initiative, he’s ducking questions about a possible state investigation into previous campaign funds.
Vestal: Tim Eyman’s financial deals all too familiar
No one should be surprised at the complex financial maneuverings of initiative promoter Tim Eyman; he confessed to engaging in similar tactics 13 years ago.