SPOKANE – Three of the 10 largest cities in Washington now have additional taxpayer protection following the adoption Tuesday of a supermajority requirement for tax increases in the City of Spokane Valley.

The requirement, which now means tax increases will require five affirmative votes or simple voter approval in Spokane Valley, follows the overwhelming will of voters in six statewide elections – 1993, 1998, 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2015.

“Voters have said time and time again that they want elected officials to reach a broader agreement before they raise the financial burden on citizens,” explained WPC Government Reform director Jason Mercier. “This requirement simply states the City of Spokane Valley is committed to doing exactly that.”

Spokane Valley joins the city of Spokane, as well as the city of Yakima and Pierce County in having a local supermajority requirement for tax increases.

The state of Washington has also been subject to supermajority requirements for tax increases until the state Supreme Court ruled the requirement had to be enacted via a constitutional amendment rather than via initiative. The action taken by the cities and counties meet the court ruling by updating governing manuals or changing city charters, which are tantamount to a constitutional amendment.

At the state level, recent polling shows 65% support for allowing voters the opportunity to place the supermajority requirement for tax increases in the state constitution. There are more than 20 other supermajority requirements already in Washington’s constitution.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Enacting Local Supermajority Vote Requirements to Increase Taxes: A Guide for Washington Cities and Counties
New poll: Lawmakers should act on supermajority for tax increases
Supermajority requirements are a basic part of Washington’s democracy