The last Washington legislative session was something remarkable: Facing a time of tax revenue shortfalls, a heavily Democratic state legislature opted to slice state government, in a big way, rather than raise taxes. (Their counterparts in Oregon chose otherwise.)
In the next Washington session, however, making cuts sufficient to balance the books likely won't be realistic.
The reasons why are laid out well in today's Peter Callaghan column in the Tacoma News Tribune.
He concludes: "Like it or not, Democrats will have to consider the big three: sales, property, and business and occupation taxes. They will have to amend or ignore a voter-approved initiative to do so. And they will face a rhetorical barrage from Republicans that will continue all the way to Election Day. There are worse things in life than losing an election. That’s a realization many legislators may come to before the end of the 2010 session."