Sen. Frockt praises court decision striking down two-third requirement for tax increases

Updated and corrected 03-02-2013 5:01pm

Democratic State Sen. David Frockt D-46, praised the State Supreme Court Thursday for its ruling that overturned the voter-approved requirement that the any tax increase needs either a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Legislature or a statewide popular vote.

Frockt, who represents Lake Forest Park, northwest Seattle and the rest of the 46th Legislative District, was a plaintiff in the case along with the League of Education Voters, the Washington Education Association and other Seattle-area Democratic legislators.

He said that the Court had upheld the principle that a bill needs only a simple majority to pass the Legislature.

He said that the State may need to eliminate some outmoded tax loopholes and possibly pass other tax increase to get needed revenue for transportation projects and to move toward full state support of basic education by 2018 as the State Supreme Court ordered in another case.

Frockt said that legislators face these problems at a time of another budget shortfall and that elected representatives must have "a broad range of policy options."

He said that legislators must continue to be responsible stewards of tax dollars and continue to do more with less but added, "When revenue options do come up for a vote, the Court ruling means there will be a fair vote in which every legislators' vote will count equally."

Frockt added that the ruling affirms a constitutional principle that balances the rights of the people to act through their elected representatives and the people's right to act through the initiative and referendum process.

"Our constitution can not be violated by a statute passed by the legislature or through the initiative process," he said. "The people always retain the ability to hold senators and representatives accountable for their decisions every two years. That right existed before this ruling, and it remains in place now.

 “A simple majority requirement for revenue legislation means lawmakers will be better equipped to examine and, if necessary, repeal tax exemptions that don't create jobs or help our state but are vociferously defended by narrow special interests,” he said.