Washington court blocked a public vote on the millionaire tax

Washington state passes a 9.9% income tax on millionaires. People want to vote on it. Nine judges just said no. Unanimous. [pause] The reason? It's *necessary for the support of state government.* That's the legal language. Necessary. For a tax that doesn't collect a dime until 2029. [pause] So it's necessary right now, but produces nothing for three more years. The court also upheld the Secretary of State refusing to process the referendum paperwork. They didn't just rule against the vote. They blocked the paperwork. [pause] Opponents can still pursue an initiative. Except that path needs roughly twice the signatures and tighter deadlines. They made the backup harder on purpose. Here's what you need to understand. The necessity clause is real. It's in the Washington constitution. But nine judges just decided a tax collecting nothing until 2029 qualifies as an emergency today. [pause] That's not a legal ruling. That's a veto. Take note.