WashingtonVotes

First act of Special Session: Waive rules

2010-03-15T20:18:00Z

The first action of the Special Session, which begins today in Olympia, was a vote by the Senate to modify transparency rules. The rule change by the Senate would allow for immediate floor action on bills after they pass a committee. Here is a good blog post describing today's action: Senate adopts rule change to speed up votes.

Special Session begins today

2010-03-15T06:30:00Z

Special Session begins today in Olympia. There are very few details available, but lawmakers are expected to continue the work they started during the regular 60-day session. Their unfinished work includes negotiating the supplemental budget and finalizing a tax package. Check back later for more details as they become available.

Its not over, Legislature headed for overtime!

2010-03-12T16:46:00Z

Special Session will begin on Monday, March 15, 2010. Legislators failed to finish their work in the provided 60-day session and will use the additional time to pass a budget and increase taxes. What are your thoughts on this?

Special Session becoming reality

2010-03-10T19:29:00Z

The Seattle Times is reporting this morning that lawmakers in Olympia have determined that a special session will be needed to finish the supplemental budget and tax packages. Do you think that lawmakers should have more time?

Senate to hear income tax bill in public hearing this afternoon.

2010-03-04T20:58:00Z

The state income tax bill scheduled for public hearing today at 4:30. SB 6250, which would create a graduated income tax, has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee today at 4:30. It is our understanding the an amendment will be offered, but it is not yet available to the public. Stay tuned!

Auto theft surcharge to cost $9.6 million per year

2010-03-04T16:30:00Z

The Senate Ways and Means Committee passes SB 6871. Along with increasing court filing fees the proposal would also add a surcharge to car insurance policies to fight auto theft. According to the I-960 fiscal impact statement, the new charge is expected to collect $9.6 million annually from auto policyholders.

Governor signs I-960 bill without vetoing advisory vote repeal

2010-02-25T00:51:00Z

Governor Gregoire signed SB 6130 as adopted by the Legislature. There was some question as to whether the Governor would veto the 2-year repeal of the non-binding advisory votes. She said that she delayed the bill signing today to consider the requests to veto that section of the bill. As a result of today's action the Washington Policy Center will be publishing an I-960 voter's pamphlet.

Senate and House release budgets

2010-02-23T22:37:00Z

Today, both the Senate and House of Representatives released their 2010 supplemental budget proposals. Each budget relies on both tax cuts and reduced spending. To see the details for each bill check out SB 6444 and HB 2824. As more details regarding these budget proposals become available we will post them here.

WashingtonVotes.org to provide information for I-960 voters' pamphlet

2010-02-19T13:38:00Z

In the wake of SB 6130, which would repeal voter protections in Initiative 960, Washington Policy Center today announced it will publish the public disclosure information that would have appeared in the voters’ pamphlet if Initiative 960 had remained in place. Click here to read the full release from the Washignton Policy Center.

House debating SB 6130 on floor

2010-02-17T02:01:00Z

The House of Representatives is debating SB 6130 on the floor of the House. SB 6130 would repeal voter protections of I-960 including eliminating the 2/3 requiremnet to raise taxes and the requirement to provide non-binding vote by the public when the legislature increases taxes. What do you think?

House of Origin cutoff for both chambers

2010-02-16T21:56:00Z

Both the Senate and the House are working towards today's House of Origin cutoff at 5:00 PM this afternoon. Did the legislation that you are tracking pass?

Budget deficit grows to $2.8 billion

2010-02-12T19:52:00Z

The state's budget outlook worsened today with news that the revenue forecast is being downgraded by $118 million. Combined with a $96 million increase in caseloads, the state's new budget deficit is projected to be $2.8 billion. What are your suggestions for closing the budget gap?

Bill would increase state sales tax by 1%

2010-02-12T00:52:00Z

The House has introduce HB 3183 entitled the economic crisis revenue bill. HB 3183 would increase the state's sales tax by 1%. What do you think?

Senate to reconsider yesterday's vote on I-960

2010-02-10T10:10:00Z

SB 6843, which was adopted only yesterday by the Senate, would have retained the transparency provisions of the Taxpayer Protection Act (I-960). However, those voting in favor of the bill didn't know they were preserving the transparency provision requirements so the Senate plans to revote and remove these provisions today. Keep checking back for additional updates on suspension of I-960.

2/3 requirement passes Senate

2010-02-09T22:43:00Z

Senate passes SB 6843. The Senate voted to "temporarily" suspend the 2/3 vote requirements for tax increases enacted multiple times by voters. The vote was 26 to 23. The full Senate adopted an amendment that limited its changes to only the 2/3 vote restriction. Next up for the proposal is debate in the House. See more at WAVotes.org