Senate Republicans pass two-thirds rule on first day of session

Republicans in the state Senate opened the 2015 legislative session Monday by making it harder to pass taxes in the Legislature’s upper chamber, potentially presenting a challenge to Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee’s idea to tax carbon pollution and capital gains.

The Senate approved a rule change Monday that will require a two-thirds vote of that chamber to approve any new taxes, unless the tax measure is sent to voters for final approval.