Changes

During Spellman's four-year term, Washington's economy endured a major [[recession]] marked by rising unemployment and disappointing tax revenues.<ref name="Tribune"/> The state legislature was deeply divided over how to address the revenue shortfall but voted to increase the state [[sales tax]] rate from 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent.<ref name="Tribune"/> Despite campaign promises that he was opposed to higher taxes, Spellman raised $2.5 billion in new taxes to address the shortfalls.<ref>Bill Dietrich, "Will the real John Spellman please stand up?,"  ''The Seattle Times,''  January 9, 1983.</ref>

During Spellman's four-year term, Washington's economy endured a major [[recession]] marked by rising unemployment and disappointing tax revenues.<ref name="Tribune"/> The state legislature was deeply divided over how to address the revenue shortfall but voted to increase the state [[sales tax]] rate from 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent.<ref name="Tribune"/> Despite campaign promises that he was opposed to higher taxes, Spellman raised $2.5 billion in new taxes to address the shortfalls.<ref>Bill Dietrich, "Will the real John Spellman please stand up?,"  ''The Seattle Times,''  January 9, 1983.</ref>

Spellman was strongly committed to environmental protection. He vetoed a bill that would have permitted a development project in a sensitive shoreline area of Whatcom County, but the state Senate overrode him.<ref>"Senate votes to override oil-rig veto," ''The Seattle Times,'' April 9, 1982.</ref> He successfully blocked a proposed oil pipeline sought by the Norther Tier Pipeline Company which would have dredged under the [[Puget Sound]. Spellman maintained that the pipeline could cause potential damage to the ecology of the waterway and persisted in his stance despite much popular opposition.<ref>Eric Pryne, "Spellman refuses to read 7,500 letters on Northern Tier," ''The Seattle Times,'' March 28, 1982.</ref>

Spellman was strongly committed to environmental protection. He vetoed a bill that would have permitted a development project in a sensitive shoreline area of Whatcom County, but the state Senate overrode him.<ref>"Senate votes to override oil-rig veto," ''The Seattle Times,'' April 9, 1982.</ref> He successfully blocked a proposed oil pipeline sought by the Norther Tier Pipeline Company which would have dredged under the [[Puget Sound]]. Spellman maintained that the pipeline could cause potential damage to the ecology of the waterway and persisted in his stance despite much popular opposition.<ref>Eric Pryne, "Spellman refuses to read 7,500 letters on Northern Tier," ''The Seattle Times,'' March 28, 1982.</ref>

In September 1983, upon the death of [[U.S. Senator]] [[Henry M. Jackson]], Spellman appointed Republican former Governor [[Daniel J. Evans]] to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat.  The appointment aroused fierce Democratic opposition.  As state law required an immediate election for the remainder of the Senate term. A primary election was held just three weeks after Evans' interim appointment.<ref>

In September 1983, upon the death of [[U.S. Senator]] [[Henry M. Jackson]], Spellman appointed Republican former Governor [[Daniel J. Evans]] to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat.  The appointment aroused fierce Democratic opposition.  As state law required an immediate election for the remainder of the Senate term. A primary election was held just three weeks after Evans' interim appointment.<ref>