Via the Associated Press:
A divided high court ruled 6-3 Thursday that an initiative requiring a two-thirds vote was in conflict with the state Constitution. And that lawmakers and the people of Washington would need to pass a constitutional amendment to change from a simple majority to a supermajority.
AP News – WA Supreme Court strikes supermajority for taxes #waleg http://t.co/aiCifbKSdC
— Donna Blankinship (@dgblankinship) February 28, 2013
Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement reacting to the news:
The state Supreme Court did the right thing today in ruling that a supermajority requirement for ordinary legislation would alter our system of government. The supermajority requirement gave a legislative minority the power to squelch ideas even when those ideas had majority support. That is inconsistent with our fundamental form of representative democracy.
"I'm heartened that the state Supreme Court acted today to protect our constitution."
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) February 28, 2013
More reactions from state legislators on both sides of the aisle:
https://twitter.com/lauriejinkins2/status/307164836150779905
House Maj Leader Pat Sullivan says "additional options" now on table as Supreme Court overturns supermajority for tax hikes #waleg
— Austin Jenkins Pluribus News (@AustinJ_Reports) February 28, 2013
https://twitter.com/brianmrosenthal/status/307186286442184705
https://twitter.com/awgarber/status/307187240134664192
https://twitter.com/brianmrosenthal/status/307184148160843777
Sen. Ericksen on Supreme Court's two-thirds ruling: let the voters decide #waleg http://t.co/fhWctRyCkn
— WA Senate Republicans (@WashingtonSRC) February 28, 2013
Sen. GOP Leader Schoesler:
"only option" left is to amend state Constitution & settle 2/3s tax vote "once and for all.” #WALEG #SCOW— Brad Shannon (@BradShannon2) February 28, 2013
Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, on 2/3rds ruling:“The court has opened the floodgates of taxation. This is a seminal point in our history." #waleg
— Drew Mikkelsen🥯 (@drewmikkelsenk5) February 28, 2013
GOP Sen. Don Benton: shocked, disappointed "to see one majority toss out what another majority has approved time after time." #WALEG #SCOW
— Brad Shannon (@BradShannon2) February 28, 2013
Senate Majority Coalition leaders respond to two-thirds tax ruling http://t.co/pzCNe5lGia #waleg
— Majority CoalitionWA (@WashingtonMCC) February 28, 2013