The Washington Retail Association has just put out a press release urging support for Initiative 1053, which would reinstall the Tim Eyman-backed initiative that created a required two-thirds majority vote in the state Legislature on taxes.

The association says the initiative is “one of the best protections for Washington state retailers and consumers during the recession,” and that approving it is “the best hope for avoiding future store closures and layoffs in the retail industry.”

State lawmakers put a temporary moratorium on the two-thirds requirement during the 2010 legislative session as they worked to stem the flow of a $2.8 billion budget deficit. The Legislature made $4 billion in cuts, raised about $800 million in taxes and also relied on some one-time money from the federal government’s stimulus package.

WRA Vice President of Government Affairs Mark Johnson says that if voters approve 1053 it would be “next to impossible” for legislators to raise taxes in the future.

Read their full press release below the fold.

State retailers endorse I-1053

One of the best protections for Washington State retailers and consumers during the recession is for voters to approve and pass Initiative 1053, says the Washington Retail Association (WRA).

The initiative would restore the two-thirds vote requirement of the state Legislature before it could approve new taxes. Supporters of 1053 are gathering signatures now in hopes of qualifying the measure on the November ballot. Directors of the Washington Retail Association have unanimously endorsed 1053 as the best hope for avoiding future store closures and layoffs in the retail industry.

The Legislature overrode the two-thirds vote requirement in the 2010 session before approving some $800 million in new taxes on cigarettes, bottled water, candy and gum. The current requirement of a one-vote majority makes its easier for the Legislature to approve new taxes as it avoids cuts in government spending to deal with state revenue shortfalls.

Current projections are the state will face up to a $4 billion revenue shortfall next year, tempting the Legislature to approve still more tax increases rather than reducing the size of government.

“The retail industry cannot afford new taxes and will further suffer if they are imposed,” said Mark Johnson, WRA’s Vice President of Government Affairs. “If voters approve 1053, it would be next to impossible for the Legislature to collect enough votes to approve more tax increases.”

Pro 1053 organizers have until July 3 to submit the signatures of 241,000 registered voters to qualify the measure for the November ballot.

Johnson urged voters to sign petitions in support of 1053, visit www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com or call 425-493-8707 to get initiative signature sheets and donate to the cause.

Founded in 1987, WRA represents a broad array of members from national chains to small business statewide. A 501 C6 trade association, WRA advocates for retailers and works to protect them from unreasonable taxes, fees, regulations and legislation with the aim of promoting economic growth.