Act Now: Put a Supermajority Requirement for Clark County Tax Increases on the Ballot
Act Now: Put a Supermajority Requirement for Clark County Tax Increases on the Ballot
Clark County’s Charter Review Commission is considering a proposal tonight/Wednesday that would require a supermajority vote of the County Council to raise taxes — a critical reform to rein in routine tax hikes and give taxpayers a stronger voice.
If this proposed amendment passes out of Study Committee with eight votes this evening, the Commission will then decide whether to send this measure to the ballot for voters to have the final say. This is our chance to ensure tax increases face a higher bar.
A recent Columbian article outlines the debate and what’s at stake: https://www.columbian.com/
What’s Happening
- The newly elected Charter Commission is considering asking voters to require at least 4 of 5 councilmembers to approve any tax increase, replacing the current system where a simple majority can raise taxes on residents without broad agreement.
- The proposal, authored by Commissioner John Jay, would shift tax increases from a simple-majority decision to a higher threshold, ensuring they require broader consensus among elected officials. This change is intended to make tax increases less routine and ensure they are only advanced when there is clear and durable support across the council.
Why This Matters
- A supermajority requirement prevents narrow political majorities from raising taxes too easily, ensuring that any increase requires broader consensus and stronger public justification.
- It strengthens accountability by forcing elected officials to demonstrate real agreement before increasing the tax burden, rather than relying on minimal voting margins.
- It helps protect working families, seniors, and small businesses from repeated or incremental tax increases that steadily raise the cost of living.
Your Action Is Needed
- Submit public comment supporting a supermajority requirement which can be done after tonight’s meeting.
- Attend or testify at Commission meetings, including tonight’s hearing on the Supermajority Requirement to Raise Taxes on Wednesday, May 6th at 5PM and urge commissioners to send this proposed amendment to the ballot.
(Schedule & materials: https://clark.wa.gov/county-manager/charter-review- commission) ‘ - Contact Commission members directly and ask for a YES vote.
- Share this alert with your network to build momentum.
Tax increases should never be the path of least resistance. A supermajority requirement ensures they only happen when there is broad agreement and clear necessity.
Now is the time to act.
Thanks for engaging.