The Washington Supreme Court struck down an initiative that would have cost state and local governments an estimated $4.2 billion in transportation funding.

"[A] measure promising to cut car-tab taxes to $30 a year has been blocked by Washington state courts," reports Melissa Santos.
"[T]he state Supreme Court struck down Initiative 976, a measure Washington voters approved last November to reduce the cost of annual vehicle licensing fees," adds Santos. "The measure has been on hold for nearly a year as legal challenges worked their way through the court system."
The state Supreme Court rejected the initiative on technicalities: because it combined more than one subject in one initiative. Eight of nine of the court's judges also said the initiative had a misleading title.
Santos provides the history of I-976, including information about its champion, anti-tax activist Tim Eyman. "One of Eyman’s main targets with the initiative was Sound Transit, which is building a regional light rail network paid for in part by higher car-tab fees. Puget Sound voters approved that transit expansion, and the increased fees, in 2016," according to Santos. This is the third setback for Eyman's anti-tax crusade in the state's courts.
More details on the expected consequences of the court's ruling is included in the source article. Heidi Groover provides additional news coverage of the court decision for The Seattle Times.
Previous Planetizen coverage of Initiative 976:
FULL STORY: WA Supreme Court rules $30 car tab initiative is unconstitutional

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Milwaukee Road to Get Complete Streets Upgrades
The city will reduce vehicle lanes and build a protected multi-use trail including bioswales and other water retention features on its ‘secret highway.’

Tackling Soil Contamination With Nature-Based Solutions
Los Angeles County residents and experts are turning to nature-based methods like bioremediation to address long-standing and fire-exacerbated soil contamination without resorting to costly and disruptive removal.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience
Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Ada County Highway District
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service