The Senate was on the verge today of re-writing the legislative definition of a "temporary tax."

The current definition of a "temporary tax" is a tax that expires as promised at the scheduled time.

Had the Senate adopted SB 5958 (extending the "temporary" stadium taxes enacted in 1995) as originally proposed this would have become the new definition of "temporary tax:"

"A temporary tax is a tax that is promised to expire to pacify voters in order to move special interest legislation but will ultimately be extended to pacify vocal special interests at the expense of legislative integrity to the voters."

A floor amendment offered by Sen. Tom required the extension of the "temporary taxes" to receive voter approval in order to take effect. The amendment passed on a voice vote. The full bill, however, failed by a vote of 24 to 22 --- one vote short of the constitutional majority required (See Article 2, Section 22 of state Constitution).

For those keeping score at home, here is an updated timeline on the history of these temporary 1995 taxes:

• Voters reject ballot measure authorizing taxes for Mariners' new stadium

• Legislature overrides voters in special session while attaching referendum denying emergency clause

• Voters try to file referendum challenging emergency clause

• Supreme Court rejects challenge saying 6-3 that raising taxes to build the Mariners' stadium is a state emergency

• Voters told don’t worry –-- taxes are temporary

• Bills introduced during 2011 Regular Session to extend taxes fail to be adopted by full Legislature

• 57% of Seattle voters say they want "temporary taxes" to expire as promised (March 2011)

• New proposal introduced in “budget focused” 2011 Special Session to extend taxes

• Tax extension proposal voted on in Senate committee with only majority party present

• Senator says if we can’t keep our promise lets at least go back to the voters who first rejected this --- Senate agrees.

• Full Senate rejects proposal to extend "temporary taxes" by a vote of 24-22.

Kudos to the Senate for keeping its promise to taxpayers and not redefining the definition of "temporary taxes."

Here is video of the Senate floor debate on SB 5958: