Pacifica Law Group, the former law firm of State Attorney General Nick Brown, sent letters to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) urging them to shape the ballot language for Initiative 645, which would repeal the new state income tax on high-income earners.
Concerns Over Cronyism
Citizens Action Defense Fund Executive Director Jackson Maynard expressed concerns over the law firm’s actions, stating that it appears to be a case of cronyism. The law firm claims that providing input on ballot language is a common practice done on behalf of clients.
The AGO has a long-standing policy of accepting input from interested parties, but the final decision on ballot title language is made by the office. Former State Attorney General Rob McKenna stated that the letters from Pacifica Law Group were ‘highly irregular’ and that it’s not appropriate for a law firm to try to influence the ballot title.
The initiative, which was filed by Let’s Go Washington, would repeal the new income tax and prohibit income taxes more generally. The tax is expected to generate revenue for the state, but opponents argue that it is unconstitutional.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
