The WA State Supreme Court has overturned the will of the people in I-2066, the initiative to protect natural gas use in WA.
Once again, the Court used the "single-subject rule" as its justification for denying the people's voice. And the right they retain in the State Constitution. This rule has become the default excuse the Court uses when it has no good reason to reject a people's initiative.
This use of the "single-subject rule" is intellectually lazy and dishonest. But it's something sponsors of initiatives have to anticipate. We did that effectively with I-2081 (the original WA Parents' Bill of Rights), I-2111 (no state income tax) and I-2113 (restore police pursuits)--which all passed court scrutiny.
In WA, writing an initiative is similar to writing legislation. But not exactly the same. The State Supreme Court applies different standards of review. That's not right, but it's reality.
This fall, vote for Edwards, Stevens, O'Donnell, Larson and Bloom to the WA State Supreme Court. They will respect the State Constitution and the initiative process.
(Four screenshots of excerpts from the decision against I-2066. Plus a link below to the complete decision.)
courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/1…