Legislators Propose Reduction in Size of Washington Supreme Court

Responding to a 6-3 supreme court decision that invalidated a legislative initiative requiring a two-thirds vote for tax increases, three Republican senators proposed a bill that would eliminate four justices from the nine-member court, citing the resulting salary savings. The "terminated" justices would be identified during a public meeting by a drawing of straws. Chief Justice Barbara Madsen questioned the constitutionality of the bill.