March 16, 2016
Washington State Supreme Court hears arguments on tax initiative
The state Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday, 3/15/16, on the constitutionality of a tax-limiting ballot initiative that was struck down by a lower court. Opponents argued the voter-approved measure was an unconstitutional threat while proponents argued that it was well within the voters’ power to enact.
“The initiative power gives the right of the people to enact laws,” Paul Lawrence, an attorney for the coalition that sued, told the justices on Tuesday. “It does not give the people the right to invoke the amendment process to change the Washington Constitution. It does not give people the right to enact laws that contain multiple subjects.”
