Here Come the Initiatives!

This election season sure is going to be an interesting one; far from a sleepy mid-term election. One of the things that'll make the November election interesting, here in Washington State, are the variety of initiatives that may be vying for your vote and, this summer, vying for your signature. Here's a rundown of some of the initiatives. . .

First, a fine resource to help you to orient yourself with the numbers, descriptions, and names of those who have filed the initiative with the Secretary of State's office: Click here for the Secretary's web page describing this year's proposed initiatives to the people.

To be certified and appear on the 2010 General Election ballot, a petition must contain the signatures of at least 241,153 registered voters. The deadline for filing petition signatures for the following initiatives is 5:00 p.m. July 2, 2010.

There are more than 60 initiatives named, at the present time, by the Secretary of State. Some of these have already been withdrawn and others have been replaced by one or more different, albeit related initiatives. Some just don't seem to have a chance. We won't name them all here. But, for the ones we include here, we will provide the "concise description" from the Secretary of State's web page, and provide a supporting and opposing web site, if those can be located. This is by no means intended to provide a definitive list of even the most authoritative online resources for or against each initiative. But, it'll get you started, if you're interested in browsing further.

Initiative 1053

This measure would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval.

Let's just come clean on this, right up front: It's sponsored by Tim Eyman.

Yes on 1053: http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/
No on 1053: http://www.permanentdefense.org/no1053.html

Initiative 1068

This measure would remove state civil and criminal penalties for persons eighteen years or older who cultivate, possess, transport, sell, or use marijuana. Restrictions and penalties for persons under eighteen would be retained.

Yes on 1068: http://sensiblewashington.org/
No specific "No on 1068" web site located, as of this writing.

Initiative 1077

This measure would tax “adjusted gross income” above $400,000 joint ($200,000 individual), reduce the state property tax levy, reduce certain business and occupation taxes, and direct any increased revenues to education and health.

Yes on 1077: http://www.yeson1077.com/
No on 1077: http://www.initiative1077.com/

UPDATED (May 18): Initiative 1077 is now 1098. What changed? I-1077 was dropped to change wording so that domestic partners would not be disadvantaged. A Thurston County judge made no changes in the concise description of the initiative; it remains as stated above ("This measure would tax 'adjusted gross income'. . ."). However, the judge made sure the description for I-1098 includes the words "income tax," as in, "Initiative Measure No. 1098 concerns establishing a state income tax and reducing other taxes."

As reported in the Olympian, Tim Eyman said he thinks the use of the term "state income tax" is a win for income-tax foes. "Eyman said that will be a 'stink bomb' for voters," according to the Olympian.

Initiative 1082

This measure would authorize employers to purchase private industrial insurance beginning July 1, 2012; direct the legislature to enact conforming legislation by March 1, 2012; and eliminate the worker-paid share of medical-benefit premiums.

Yes on 1082: http://saveourjobswa.com/ The Building Industry Association of Washington is providing funding to collect signatures using paid signature-gatherers.

No specific "No on 1082" web site located, as of this writing. However, Permanent Defense (http://www.permanentdefense.org/) has declared they are working to defeat I-1067, a related initiative also filed by the BIAW.

Initiatives 1086, 1087, 1088, 1089, 1090, 1091, 1092, 1093, 1094, 1095, 1096

All initiatives by Tim Eyman, these would roll back taxes passed in the last legislative session on beer, tobacco products, soda pop, bottled water, candy, and the Business and Occupation Tax.

Tim Eyman's web site at http://www.voterswantmorechoices.com/ does not presently mention any of these initiatives.

No specific web site located, as of this writing, which oppose any or all of these initiatives.


And, what's our favorite initiative? It has to be Initiative 1069:

This measure would require the Washington State Seal to depict a tapeworm attached to a taxpayer’s intestine, encircled by the words: Committed to sucking the life blood out of each and every taxpayer.

You have to admit, that's creative. I'm looking forward to meeting up with a signature-gatherer for I-1069.