The will of the voters has finally brought Olympia to its knees and it's a beautiful thing to watch.

Michael Young, Chairman

King County Republican Party

November's election - and a politically motivated ruling by the state Supreme Court two days later - may re-energize the taxpayer revolt in Washington that had its genesis with Initiative 695.

Certainly the trend to limit what both local and state government can collect and spend was on the upswing by month's end as the Legislature, meeting in special session, overwhelmingly reinstated a 1 percent cap on annual property-tax increases.

That action became necessary when the Supreme Court, which earlier this year held that free speech allows candidates to lie during their campaigns, inexplicably declared I-747 unconstitutional because the public may have been misled by statements for the ballot measure in the Voters Pamphlet.

Contrast that with a report to her Highline-area constituents from Rep. Shay Schual-Berke, D-Normandy Park: "at least 70 percent of you told me in no uncertain terms that you knew what you were doing when you first voted on I-747."

Yet the special session likely never would have occurred without voter approval in November of I-960, which requires two-thirds approval by either the Legislature or the voters for any tax increase, and ensures a public vote on any tax increase designated an "emergency" by the Legislature.

IN FACT, THE results of several ballot measures sent a strong message to Washington's tax-and-spend liberals that enough is enough.

A constitutional amendment requiring a state rainy day fund was approved by more than 67 percent of those voting. The regional Roads & Transit package, which cost too much for too little in return, was rejected by more than 55 percent.

And without King County, a constitutional amendment that changed to a simple majority the vote required for passage of school district tax levies would have failed.

It is unlikely, however, that these liberals will listen to that message any time soon. Despite the fact that Rep. Schual-Berke voted to reimpose I-747, she did so only "because, although I personally voted no on the Initiative, as your representative it is clear that is your will, it is the will of the people."

This regrettable attitude is reflected in the 5-4 majority opinion, written by Justice Bobbe Bridge, that overturned I-747.

Voters may not have understood "the impact on the public coffers" by limiting the taxes government can collect, Justice Bridge observed.

Nor does the majority party in Olympia get it, despite the fact that Gov. Christ Gregoire saw the light after Republican Dino Rossi, her opponent in 2004 and again next year, issued repeated calls for a special session on I-747.

Both Rep. Schual-Berke and Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, said in exchange for their votes for the 1 percent limit they were assured that legislative Democrats will address "progressive tax reform" in 2008.

Translated, that means a state income tax.

Without doubt, major property tax reform is long overdue in Washington. And the sales tax is as overused as it is regressive.

BUT TRUSTING tax-and-spend liberals with "progressive tax reform" is like the fox guarding the chicken coop. They will ensure that property tax reductions are more than offset by additional revenues from a state income tax.

That's why we voted for I-960 on Nov. 6.

Casting her first vote as a legislator, Rep. Sharon Nelson, D-Vashon, proved to be a major disappointment, as did now-Sen. Joe McDermott, D-West Seattle. They represent North Highline and part of Burien.

They were among just a handful of Democrats who, preferring the old 6 percent cap on annual property tax increases, openly supported the appetite of government rather than the needs of taxpayers.

Unfortunately, the Democratic majority, including Highline legislators, also engaged in a charade they billed as property tax relief. In reality, this measure is nothing more than predatory lending by the state.

It lets homeowners who earn less than $57,000 a year defer up to half of their property taxes. But these deferred taxes - with interest - must be paid when they sell their house.

Tax reform must benefit taxpayers, which this measure fails to do.

The views of Ralph Nichols are his own, and do not necessarily reflect those of Robinson Newspapers. He can be reached at ralphn@robinsonnews.com or 206-388-1857.