Tax Initiatives attacked by special interst groups

Court set to hear arguments in two-thirds supermajority case:

The state Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday to determine the constitutionality of an initiative that requires a two-thirds supermajority vote of the Legislature to raise taxes.

Voters have approved the initiative three times, most recently in 2010. It was brought to the ballot by conservative activist Tim Eyman, and is being challenged by a broad coalition of opponents — including the League of Education Voters, Washington Education Association and several state legislators.

The education groups sued to overturn the law, arguing that the initiative hampered the Legislature’s ability to raise revenue for schools. King County Superior Court Judge Bruce Heller agreed with the education coalition, ruling earlier this year that the initiative is a “clear restriction on the Legislature’s power.”

 Read the rest here.