Republicans in the state Senate are looking to change the Washington constitution in order to enshrine an anti-tax rule approved by voters.

A Senate committee began hearing testimony Thursday on a constitutional amendment that would require lawmakers to have a two-thirds majority to raise taxes. Voters have approved the idea on multiple occasions, but the Legislature is able to suspend initiatives after two years.

Republican Sen. Don Benton says it's insulting and arrogant that elected officials would ignore the clear will of voters. Social services lobbyist Nick Federici says he believes a constitutional amendment would tie the hands of the Legislature at a time when lawmakers are looking to add funding to education.