Vote yes on Initiative 1053

ONCE again comes a measure to the ballot — Initiative 1053 — to require a two-thirds vote for the Legislature to raise taxes. This is becoming routine. The people imposed the two-thirds rule and the Legislature set it aside. If the people want to prevail in this, they have to impose the rule again.

If I-1053 passes, it will be two years before the Legislature can suspend it with simple majorities — two years in which it will be difficult, though not impossible, for legislators to raise taxes. If I-1053 fails, taxes will go up within six months.

Critics argue that a two-thirds rule is "undemocratic." They are wrong. I-1053 is a direct act of the people upon the state. You cannot get more democratic than that.

Under I-1053, if the Legislature cannot muster two-thirds approval of both houses, it may by simple majority refer a tax to the people, who can vote approval by a simple majority. That is supremely democratic. The defenders of legislative power should get their terminology right. I-1053 may be unrepublican. It is not undemocratic.

In the Voters Pamphlet, opponents make the hysterical prediction that I-1053 will create a deadlock such as happened in California. But in that state, legislators need two-thirds of both houses to pass a budget.

I-1053 has no such rule. It requires two-thirds for tax increases not approved by voters. Not for voter-approved tax increases. Not for fee increases. Not for budget cuts. Not for spending reform or efficiencies in government. Only for tax increases not approved by voters — and such increases are never things legislators have to do.

The rule of I-1053 is a familiar one. Our Legislature lived with it during 2008 and 2009. It worked, and it can work again.

Vote yes on Initiative I-1053.