Pierce County Council votes to join I-976 lawsuit

The battle was joined. The battle over $30 car tabs, that is. At its Dec. 10 meeting, the Pierce County Council voted 4-3 to be part of the state lawsuit fighting to uphold the November vote of Initiative 976, which passed statewide with a 53 percent vote. Pierce County approved I-976 by 66 percent.

The measure is on hold right now as lawyers battle out in court whether the initiative violates the state constitution. Neighboring King County and Seattle are among the opposing group that is fighting to prevent $30 car tabs from becoming a reality.

Councilmembers Jim McCune, Dave Morrell, Pam Roach and Douglas Richardson voted in favor of the motion. Councilmembers Derek Young, Marty Campbell and Connie Ladenburg voted no.

“The purpose here is to defend the people of Pierce County who voted and did prevail,” Roach said, to loud applause from the many people gathered in the audience, earning a mild rebuke from Chair Richardson about such outbursts. “It’s our job, I believe, as a county council and as elected officials to defend what the people in Pierce County have in fact said.”

Young explained his opposition to the motion was largely based on jurisdictional grounds, noting I-976 is a state law, not a county law.

“It seems to be unprecedented that a county would intervene on behalf of the state in a case like this,” he said.

After the council’s vote, Tim Eyman – the man behind I-976 – interrupted the meeting asking for a public comment period, even though the vote went in his favor.

“Is there public testimony later on because these people want to be able to say stuff?” he asked.

Richardson referenced the Citizens’ Forum portion that takes place near the end of council meetings, but noted it affords members of the public a chance to speak on issues that are not otherwise on the council’s agenda.

Richardson explained the council didn’t take public testimony on the motion due to the fact the motion merely requests the county prosecutor to take legal action on behalf of county residents, as opposed to passing legislation.

He said members of the council have a pretty good idea of how Pierce County voters feel about I-976.

“I think you can rest assured that your voices were heard in this process,” Richardson said.

An attempt by Roach later in the meeting to bring up the issue of public comment on the $30 car tabs issue was cut off by Richardson.

In other business, the council passed 4-3 Proposal No. R2019-163, a resolution declaring its opposition to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s draft rule establishing carbon fuel standards. Opposition to the proposed rule stems from the perceived negative impact on Pierce County’s economy, as well as the notion this is an issue that should be debated and discussed at a statewide – not local – level.

Proposal No. R2019-162, an amended resolution adopting the county’s legislative priorities for 2020, was passed unanimously by the council.

Also passed unanimously was Proposal No. 2019-90, an ordinance establishing a short-term line of credit for the Tacoma-Pierce County Employment Training Consortium.