Non-binding tax advisory votes headed to WA ballot

Four tax advisory votes will be on the statewide ballot this fall, including the transportation funding package, marijuana tax changes and closure of several tax preferences, Secretary of State Kim Wyman says. The votes, which are nonbinding, are an opportunity for voters to express support or opposition to revenue provisions in bills that passed in the recent legislative sessions. Legislators are not required to do anything with the results. The advisory votes are mandated under Tim Eyman’s voter-approved I-960. This is the four year the votes have been on the statewide ballot. The Attorney General determined that four measures triggered such a vote:

• HB1449, concerning oil transportation. Vote in House was 95-1. Senate vote was 46-0. http://tinyurl.com/pvw7ejy
• SB5052, Cannabis Patient Protection Act. House passed 60-36, Senate 41-8. http://tinyurl.com/mecmktv
• SB5987, transportation revenue, House passed 54-44, Senate vote was 37-7. http://tinyurl.com/q3vusml
• SB6138, eliminating tax preferences for royalties & certain manufacturing equipment. House passed 60-38, Senate 35-10. http://tinyurl.com/ohvosjz

In addition, we’re expecting two initiatives to appear on this year’s General Election Ballot. I-1401 has already been certified as receiving enough signatures. State Elections Division crews on Thursday began checking signatures on I-1366.