Washington State House Democrats

‘Simple-majority’ bill unanimously passes House Education Committee

Feb. 3, 2005

OLYMPIA – A unanimous vote in the House Education Committee approved a resolution sponsored by Rep. Schual-Berke (D-Normandy Park) that would amend the state Constitution to allow a simple majority of voters to pass a school levy.

"Why is it easier to pay for a stadium than it is to let voters put more taxes into their schools? Why should a landslide win of 59% for a politician be a crushing defeat for a school levy?" asked Rep. Schual-Berke. "We should end the tyranny of the minority, stop thwarting the will of the majority, and victimizing our children. Let's pass school levies with a simple majority vote. It's fair; it's simple."

The resolution (HJR 4205) would overturn the current 60 percent supermajority requirement first approved in 1932 to pass a school levy. Should it pass the Legislature this year, decision to amend the state Constitution would go before voters in November.

"Passage of this resolution means it will go to a vote of the people. The Legislature ultimately will not decide—the voter will. Let the voter decide," said Rep. Quall, a retired educator and chair of the House Education Committee.

A similar resolution passed the Senate Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education Committee.