Washington State Supreme Court Denies Referendum on Income Tax Law
The Washington State Supreme Court has denied a conservative political committee's request to repeal the state's new income tax law through a referendum. The court upheld the law's 'necessity clause,' which protects it from being challenged via referendum. The law imposes a 9.9% tax on household wage income above $1 million, set to begin in 2028. The opposition, led by the group Let's Go Washington, can still pursue a repeal through an initiative, which requires twice as many signatures. The decision was signed by Chief Justice Debra Stephens, who stated that the law generates revenue for the state's existing institutions, thus qualifying for the 'support of state government' exception to the referendum power. 
