One of the most common sentiments heard these days is that elected officials don’t listen to us.  

So it’s refreshing that state lawmakers have responded positively to a popular citizens’ measure, Initiative 2111, and adopted a ban on state and local income taxes. This forward-looking measure passed the legislature by wide bipartisan margins (76 to 21 in the House and 38 to 11 in the Senate).

If he could, Governor Inslee would no doubt stop an income tax ban; he has amply demonstrated his desire is to increase – not limit – the state’s power to add to our tax burden. As a citizens’ initiative, however, he has no power to veto it.

Stopping elites from imposing an income tax is certainly popular. Initiative 2111 got 446,000 signatures, over 120,000 more than it needed. Voters have rejected a state income tax 10 times, most recently in 2010 by a crushing 64%. In all, 28 cities and counties have passed local income tax bans.

Conversely, there are few political ideas that are less popular in Washington state than imposing an income tax. The idea is less popular than the COVID-era school closures.

If Washington has a political third rail it’s supporting a state income tax. Even far-left Seattle-based lawmakers are reluctant to admit publicly that they’re for it.

While passing the initiative is a positive step, the legislature should consider a constitutional amendment, like the one proposed in 2017 by SJR 8204, so citizens can be confident future lawmakers won’t repeal the ban and push an income tax.

The central principle of democracy is respecting the will of the people, especially in support of a bipartisan policy that has been successful and popular for many decades. The passage of Initiative 2111 is an encouraging sign of real progress. Let’s hope that on other policy issues elected officials respond just as positively to the people they represent.