Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington's 60-day legislative session is halfway over and partisan acrimony is on the rise.

Republicans in the Senate are especially incensed at majority Democrats. Their main beef: a late night vote this week to repeal the so-called "Taxpayer Protection Act."  Austin Jenkins explains.

To borrow a golfing term, it was a mulligan vote.

Senate Democrats voted a second time this week to suspend Initiative 960 -- the 2/3rds requirement for tax hikes.

Their first bill only partially suspended the voter-approved law. That meant any tax increases Democrats pass later this session would be subject to an advisory vote on the November ballot.

So Democrats came back a day later to put the entire initiative on ice until July 2011.

Republican Don Benton lashed out at Democrats accusing them of using the cover of darkness to thwart the will of the voters.

Don Benton: "This is appalling. The cover-up of the cover-up of the cover-up. I mean this is just unbelievable Mr. President. I'm shocked. In my fifteen years in the legislature this really takes the cake."

Democrats in turn blame the late night vote on Republican parliamentary roadblocks.

The bill now goes to the House where Speaker Frank Chopp has indicated he wants to make permanent changes to I-960 that would go beyond just temporarily suspending the measure.