Attempt to end school bond super majority rule fails

3-14-2019

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Schools still need a 60% supermajority to pass bonds after the Washington State Senate struck down a proposal to lower the requirement to a simple majority.

Senate Republicans rejected arguments that a minority of voters shouldn’t be able to thwart the needs for new or reconstructed schools, saying taxpayers need the protection of stronger public support for a tax levy that can last 30 years.

The Spokesman-Review reports Senate Republicans did counter with a proposal of a 55% majority accompanied by other wage protections.