THE REPUBLICAN OBSERVER: Ballots Are Out – My Yearly Discussion About Advisory Votes

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Republican Observer is a Republican precinct committee officer in Washington state and a close observer of events in Olympia. She writes legislative updates for her mailing list, and is generously allowing us to post them here.

Ballots Are Out – Advisory Votes… What are They?

For those of you who are new to my newsletter, I’ll first explain what advisory votes (and what they are not). When the Legislature passes any bill that increases taxes without a vote of the people, the people are informed of that vote by way of an advisory vote on their ballot.

This advisory vote process stems from a initiative vote that we, the citizens, took years ago (I-902) that required a 2/3 vote of the legislature to raise taxes. The Supreme Court struck down the 2/3 vote part, but the other parts of the Initiative remained in place – one of which requires that every time the Legislature raises any sort of taxes (even with a 2/3 vote), it is placed on the ballot as an Advisory Vote.  

The result of an advisory vote has no effect on the law itself. You are just advising the Legislature of what you want. They have no obligation to listen to you. They are just a way of informing your elected officials of your opinion.

We have two advisory votes this year.

Advisory Vote #39 is regarding a law that increased the tax on aircraft fuel from 11 cents to 18 cents per gallon. This money goes into the general fund and was part of a huge package of increased taxes and fees to supposedly pay for green energy policies. However, unlike the gas tax, this money is not constrained by the Constitution to go toward roads and infrastructure, so the Legislature can decide to spend it on anything they want.

Here is the bill report for SB 5974. It was supported by all Democrats and opposed by all Republicans.

Advisory Vote #40 is regarding a tax that was implemented related to transportation networks. Sometimes, industries that are present throughout the state end up with a situation where they have to deal with multiple regulations that differ from city to city or county to county. That was the case with this industry (Lyft and Uber are part of this industry). This bill created one uniform standard of regulations that would allow consistency throughout the state. It also established standards for employment and benefits for that same consistency, allowing drivers to receive sick leave, unemployment, and workers compensation. This was a bill that these transportation companies worked on with the Legislature and they approved the final bill. Because of the agreement with the industry, some Republicans were willing to vote for the bill at the request of these companies.

Here is the bill report for ESHB 2076. Most Republicans vote no on bills that raise taxes just to get more money for the general fund. Some vote no on any bill that raises any tax that will result in an Advisory Vote. Some will vote yes on a bill that is a request from the industry, usually because it makes it easier for the industry in some way.

If you disagree with the law, you mark that you want the law Repealed. If you are fine with the law, you vote that you want the law Maintained. Regardless of how we all vote, remember that these two votes are just an opinion. There is no action taken because of this vote.