Times Contradicts Itself

The Seattle Times, in its editorial opposing I-1351, states the following:

“By piggybacking on McCleary, it seems to finish the job of boxing in the Legislature that the court began.”

This is somewhat puzzling, for two reasons.  First, by definition and application, initiatives are not used unless the legislature fails to act.  That’s part of why the Progressive Era reforms of Initiative, Referendum, and Recall were instituted in Washington state.  It is, therefore, reasonable to infer that the “lawmakers” have failed to act and the citizens choose to step in and provide direction.  One can not, on the one hand, fail to act, and then, on the other hand, claim the right to action is his/hers.

Second, the Seattle Times has supported two initiatives recently, which can reasonably be construed as “boxing in the legislature”.  Those two initiative are I-502 and I-1185.  

I-502 states that, “The people intend to stop treating adult marijuana use as a crime and try a new approach…”  This initiative was put forward because the legislature failed to act and the citizens chose to take the legislature out of the equation.  In other words, to box in the legislature and set it aside.  

I-1185 stated, “This measure would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval.”   Now, if requiring a two-thirds vote is not boxing in the legislature, I’m at a loss to imagine what is.