Judge Upholds Income Tax Ballot Disclosure, Sparks Sponsor Outrage
The judge said the disclosure is neutral and can stay on the ballot, rejecting claims that it misleads voters about the measure’s budget effects.
- On Friday, Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Lanese upheld the government-drafted financial disclosure statement for Initiative 645, a measure seeking to repeal Washington state's 9.9% income tax on high earners.
- State law mandates these financial disclosures for initiatives altering revenue, ensuring voters understand trade-offs. The statement warns the measure would decrease funding for K-12 education, higher education, and human services.
- Arthur West challenged the disclosure as "politically charged propaganda" violating separation of powers. Deputy Solicitor General Karl Smith countered that hiding fiscal consequences from voters is not equitable.
- The ruling pre-empted a separate legal challenge from Let's Go Washington, whose hearing was canceled. Founder Brian Heywood condemned the process, stating, "We will not quietly accept their lies and misinformation."
- Facing an August 21 deadline to finalize ballots, West plans to appeal the decision. The underlying tax remains scheduled to take effect January 1, 2028, with initial collections beginning in 2029.
15 Articles
15 Articles
WA State Leftist Judicial Activism on Full Display: Judge Allows Democrats’ Unconstitutional Income Tax Initiative PIID to Appear on Nov 2026 Ballot * The Gateway Pundit * by Jim Hᴏft
This article originally appeared on Bill Bruch's Substack and was republished with permission. The post WA State Leftist Judicial Activism on Full Display: Judge Allows Democrats’ Unconstitutional Income Tax Initiative PIID to Appear on Nov 2026 Ballot appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.
Thurston County judge rejects bid to ditch description of income tax initiative’s budget effects - The Daily Chronicle
A Thurston County judge on Friday upheld a one-sentence statement that will appear on ballots describing the budgetary consequences of an initiative to repeal Washington’s new income tax on high …
Star Local
Judge upholds income tax ballot disclosure, sparks sponsor outrage
(The Center Square) – A Thurston County Superior Court judge on Friday upheld the government-drafted financial disclosure statement slated to appear on November ballots for Initiative 645, a high-profile measure seeking to repeal Washington state’s newly enacted income tax on…
The spokesman-Review
WA judge rejects bid to ditch description of income tax initiative’s budget effects
A Thurston County judge on Friday upheld a one-sentence statement that will appear on ballots describing the budgetary consequences of an initiative to repeal Washington’s new income tax on high earners.
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