Boot meaningless tax 'advisory' measures from ballots
By The Herald Editorial Board
For about a decade now, Washington state voters have had the opportunity to vote to “repeal” or “maintain” specific taxes that the state Legislature approved and the governor signed in the previous year.
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For example, in last year’s election, voters were asked if they wanted to repeal or maintain a 7-cent increase in the aviation fuel tax; and a requirement that ride-share companies, such as Lyft and Uber, pay premiums into the state’s worker compensation system for its drivers. In both instances, a majority voted for repeal.
Both taxes, however, are still on the books and still being collected. What gives?
Initiative 960, passed by voters in 2007, established “advisory” votes for all taxing legislation adopted by the Legislature. But there’s little that’s truthfully advisory about the ballot measures; there’s no requirement that lawmakers comply with — or even pay much attention to — the number of votes to “repeal” or “maintain” those taxes.
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/editorial-boot-meaningless-tax-advisory-measures-from-ballots/
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