Washington voters will weigh in on anti-tax measure this November

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Voters will weigh in once again on the latest attempt to limit the Washington Legislature's ability to raise taxes.

Initiative 1366 would decrease the 6.5-percent state sales tax to 5.5 percent unless the Legislature puts a constitutional amendment before voters that would reinstate a two-thirds legislative majority to raise taxes.

The state Office of Financial Management has estimated that I-1366 would reduce revenue to the state budget by $8 billion through the middle of 2021, if its tax-cut element becomes law.

The state Supreme Court refused to block the measure from the ballot as sought by opponents who say the measure would essentially change the state constitution and exceeds the scope of Washington's initiative law.

However, the high court wrote that it would retain the appeal for a later decision on the merits.