Olympia to challenge income tax initiative

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The Olympia City Council will challenge a proposed initiative that would create a city income tax in Washington state.

The council ruled Tuesday night to authorize the city manager to seek a judicial decision in superior court on whether the initiative is lawful, The Olympian reported.

If a judge rules that it is not, the city could then obtain an injunction to keep it off the November ballot.

Opportunity for Olympia has submitted nearly 9,000 signatures to the Thurston County Auditor's Office and verification is expected by the end of the week.

The proposal seeks a 1.5 percent tax on household income in excess of $200,000 in order to raise an estimated $3 million a year for a public college tuition fund.

Opponents say that Olympia does not have the authority to adopt a new tax that is not authorized by the state Legislature.