Title-only bills don't pass constitutional muster

The Washington Bankers Association has taken the mantle on an issue all state taxpayers should be outraged over — the Legislature’s use of title-only bills.

In the waning days of the 2019 legislative session, lawmakers in Olympia used their “title-only” stunt to enact new taxes without proper debate, public review or comment. Indeed, Democrats even had the galleries cleared and the doors barred to prevent the public from watching the shenanigans.

Title-only bills are just that, bills that contain a title and very little else.

At least one bill, House Bill 2167, had been introduced in the House...