Judge says Supermajority tax rule violates constitution

A judge has ruled the two-thirds majority initiative violates the simple majority provision of the state constitution.

Initiative 1053 was approved by Washington voters in November 2010 and has made it difficult for lawmakers to adopt tax increases since then.

It's been nearly three months since King County Superior Court Judge Bruce E. Heller heard arguments in the case brought the League of Education Voters, the teacher's union, parents, taxpayers and lawmakers.

The coalition's lawyers say Initiative 1053 allows a small segment of the Legislature to overturn the principal of majority rule.