November 28, 2006

State Supreme Court Hears Spending Limit Lawsuit

OLYMPIA—Today the State Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a lawsuit brought against the state for violations of the people's Taxpayer Protection Act (I-601) passed in 1993. Earlier this year a Snohomish County Superior Court judge found the state violated I-601 by adopting the 2005 budget and various tax increases in excess of the established spending limit without a vote of the people as required by law.

The Evergreen Freedom Foundation's Director of Economic Policy, Jason Mercier, had the following to say about today's oral arguments:

"This case boils down to whether or not the state will be held accountable for breaking the law. The state all but admitted it violated I-601 but claimed it 'cured' its violation by passing a bill to retroactively make its actions legal. If there was no violation, then there was nothing to 'cure.'"

"Nothing prevents the legislature from amending or repealing the people's Taxpayer Protection Act. Instead of taking this politically risky move, state officials have engaged in dishonest budgeting claiming to abide by I-601 while proactively manipulating its taxpayer protections."

"We agree with Justice Susan Owens when she said this is a 'shell game' designed to avoid a vote of the people. Hopefully the Court will make it clear that state officials will be held to the same standard as the people they represent: break the law and you will be held accountable."

This case was brought against the state by the Washington State Farm Bureau, Washington State Grange, National Federation of Independent Business, Building Industry Association of Washington, Evergreen Freedom Foundation, Washington Association of REALTORS, and Snohomish County taxpayer Steve Neighbors.

Additional Information
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Contact: Jason Mercier

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Director, Economic Policy Center

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(360) 956-3482

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