Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington legislators are being summoned to Olympia for possible votes on taxes. Friday, soft drink bottlers and grocers gathered on the capitol steps to denounce proposed new taxes on soda, bottled water, candy and gum.

Various industries targeted by new or higher taxes are trying their darndest to get off the menu. But if they fail, there's already talk of going to Washington voters for a second opinion.

Bob Slack is a vice president at bottler Coca-Cola Enterprises in Seattle.

Bob Slack: “We do believe it's against the will of the people that consume our products. And it is bad for the industry. It's bad for grocers. It's bad for our suppliers. So yes, our plan would be to take it to the ballot and to win.”

There is a major wrinkle here. The Democratic majority in the legislature almost certainly will tack on what's called an “emergency clause” to their revenue package.

That would allow the state to start collecting new taxes sooner, but it also means the legislation is not subject to referendum.

Opponents would have to try a repeal by citizen initiative instead. That takes twice as many petition signatures -- about 300,000 -- to assure qualification in Washington state.