Statement from Rep. Doug Ericksen on Controversial Passage of Bill to Suspend Taxpayer Protection Act (I-960)
Senate Bill 6130 clears the way for tax increases
Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, had this to say about the controversial and narrow passage of Senate Bill 6130 today. The legislation would suspend the Taxpayer Protection Act (I-960), clearing the way for new tax increases, and is expected to be signed into law by the governor.
Statement:
“Citizens across this state who are worried about their financial well being lost their voices tonight. Majority Democrats have decided to defend the status quo in state government at the expense of struggling families and employers. At a time when there should be public hearings on solutions to restructure state government and create jobs, majority Democrats have decided to focus on ways to increase taxes and fees in a down economy. It really reveals an out-of-touch approach and is why so many people have grown distrustful of business as usual in Olympia.”
Quick facts:
The Taxpayer Protection Act (I-960) passed in 2007. Current law requires: a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for tax increases; public e-mail notifications for tax increase proposals; and citizen advisory votes on tax increases.
Senate Bill 6130, as passed by the state House, would remove the two-thirds vote requirement of the Legislature for tax increases immediately after being signed into law by the governor.
There are currently 77 bills in the state House that, when combined, would increase taxes and fees by $11.46 billion in the state’s next two-year budget cycle.
The 60-day legislative session is scheduled to adjourn March 11.