Sales tax for law & justice unpopular at the polls


June 11, 2008 · Updated 2:02 PM 

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PORT ORCHARD — Kitsap County voters soundly defeated a .15 percent sales tax earmarked to provide funds to support crimefighting efforts. In the only other countywide race, Superior Court Judge Sally Olsen was elected to a full term, besting Port Orchard attorney Jonathan Morrison.

The initial count reflected 32 percent of the 134,921 total. It showed 66.05 percent of voters opposed the tax proposal, with 33.95 percent showing support.

Election supervisor Dolores Gilmore said the county expected a 45 percent voter turnout, which is a higher figure than most off-year primary elections.

Port Orchard attorney Bruce Danielson, who opposed the sales tax increase, said the measure’s defeat was a reaction to other increases in gasoline prices and property taxes.

He also said the fact that luxury items were not taxed was “disingenuous.”

“It was destined to fail,” he said. “It was poorly crafted and poorly presented. Citizens feel the Legislature is going wild in the spending of public money, and this

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