Senate vote exposes I-960 flaw

OLYMPIA – Senate Democrats say a failed measure to provide more resources for DUI enforcement and treatment illustrates the flaw in Initiative 960’s requirement of a two-thirds vote to raise new revenues.

Senate Bill 6931 would have imposed a 42-cent-per-liter surcharge on state liquor sales.

“We have good public policy – good public safety policy – that we’d like to pass, but the supermajority requirement hamstrings that effort,” said Senate Majority Lisa Brown, D-Spokane. “It would have been nice if the Republican minority could support stronger DUI enforcement, but unfortunately that’s not the case. I-960 creates an obstructionist situation, which we believe is unconstitutional.”

The measure garnered the constitutionally required 25 yes votes, but not the 33 yes votes required under I-960.

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