OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Washington residents will not have a chance to vote on a new income tax targeting the state’s wealthiest residents.

The Washington State Supreme Court rejected Let’s Go Washington’s (LGW) attempt to have a public referendum on the new law deemed “the millionaire’s tax” on Monday, May 5.

In its decision, the court declared that revenue raised from the tax is necessary for the support of state government. The state constitution explicitly exempts any laws that fall under that category from referendum.

The court noted that it was only ruling on whether the tax can be subject to a referendum and not its constitutionality.

LGW founder Brian Heywood said in a statement that he strongly disagrees with the decision, but remains hopeful that the court will rule the tax as unconstitutional later this year.