Washington: Amend Constitution or Cut Sales Tax
- Nov 5, 2015 | Gail Cole
Update 1.19.2016: Initiative 1366 was approved and then challenged on the grounds that it unlawfully addresses two subjects: the state sales tax decrease and a constitutional amendment.
Voters in Washington State look to be supporting a controversial initiative that would cut the state sales tax by 1% unless the Legislature puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot calling for any tax increase to be approved by a two-thirds majority of lawmakers or a public vote.
Votes are still being tallied, but thus far, Initiative 1366 is being rejected in King County (Seattle), Thurston County (Olympia) and Jefferson County on the Olympic Peninsula. In every other county, voters are approving the anti-tax measure backed by Tim Eyman.
The Intent of I-1366 reads, in pertinent part:
This measure provides a reduction in the burden of state taxes by reducing the sales tax, enabling the citizens to keep more of their own money to pay for increases in other state taxes and fees due to the lack of a constitutional amendment protecting them, unless the legislature refers to the ballot for a vote a constitutional amendment requiring two-third legislative approval or voter approval to raise taxes and majority legislative approval for fee increases.
If ultimately approved, the sales tax rate decrease would take effect April 15, 2016.
Find accurate sales tax rates for all states here.
