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Stifled by the two-thirds majority vote required in the Legislature to raise taxes, supporters of ending certain tax breaks are looking to other options as the end of the legislative session nears.

A labor union member has filed several versions of two initiatives with the Secretary of State's office, all of which propose closing tax loopholes to pay for education and social services.

Sending out an initiative to the public might be the only way to get around Initiative 1053, which voters overwhelmingly approved last November. Under I-1053, any change or increase in taxes must be approved by a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Legislature - or by a vote of the people.

Democrat legislators in both houses have introduced their own bills to close some of the exemptions, but without support from their Republican counterparts, they aren't likely to go anywhere. Democrats hold a 26-23 majority in the Senate and a 56-42 majority in the House - not enough for a two-thirds vote.