King County Initiative 25

Initiative 25 is a proposed ordinance. If approved by voters, it would place a charter amendment on the November 2008 general election ballot that would ask: “Shall the King County Charter be amended to provide that the position of county director of elections be created as a nonpartisan elected office?”

Should Initiative 25 be adopted so that this charter amendment will be placed before voters in November 2008? Yes or No

King County Proposition 1 – Medic One – Emergency Medical Services

The King County Council adopted Ordinance 15861 concerning funding for the Medic One emergency medical services system. This proposition would replace an expiring levy to continue funding of Medic One emergency medical services. It would authorize King County to impose regular property tax levies of $0.30 or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for each of six consecutive years, with collection beginning in 2008, as provided in King County Ordinance 15861.

Shall this proposition be: Approved or Rejected

Sound Transit (Regional Transit Authority) and RTID (Regional Transportation Investment District – Proposition 1

To reduce transportation congestion, increase road and transit capacity, promote safety, facilitate mobility, provide for an integrated and regional transportation system, and improve the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of Washington, shall Sound Transit (a regional transit authority) implement a regional rail and transit system linking Lynnwood, Shoreline, Northgate, Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, SeaTac airport, Kent, Federal Way and Tacoma as described in the Sound Transit 2 plan, financed by the existing taxes approved by the voters in 1996 and an additional sales and use tax of up to five-tenths of one percent imposed by Sound Transit, all as proved in Resolution No. R2007-15; and shall a regional transportation investment district (RTID) be formed and authorized to implement and invest in improving the regional transportation system by replacing vulnerable bridges, improving safety, and increasing capacity on state and local roads to further link major education, employment, and retail centers as described in Moving Forward Together: A Blueprint for Progress – King Pierce Snohomish Counties, financed by a sales and use tax of one-tenth of one percent and a local motor vehicle excise tax of eight-tenths of one percent imposed by RTID, all as provided in Resolution No. PC-2007-02; further provided that the Sound Transit taxes shall be imposed only within the boundaries of Sound Transit, and the RTID taxes shall be imposed only within the boundaries of the RTID?

Should this proposition be approved: Yes or No

Initiative Measure 960

Initiative Measure No. 960 concerns tax and fee increases imposed by state government. This measure would require two-thirds legislative approval or voter approval for tax increases, legislative approval of fee increases, certain published information on tax-increasing bills, and advisory votes on taxes enacted without voter approval.

Should this measure be enacted into law? Yes or No

Referendum Measure 67

The legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5726 (ESSB 5726) concerning insurance fair conduct related to claims for coverage or benefits and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill.

This bill would make it unlawful for insurers to unreasonably deny certain coverage claims, and permit treble damages plus attorney fees for that and other violations. Some health insurance arriers would be exempt.

Should this bill be? Approved or Rejected

Engrossed Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 8206

The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on establishment of a budget stabilization account.

This amendment would require the legislature to transfer 1% of general state revenues to a budget stabilization account each year and prohibit expenditures from the account except as set forth in the amendment.

Should this constitutional amendment be: Approved or Rejected

Senate Joint Resolution 8212

The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on inmate labor.

This amendment would authorize state-operated inmate labor programs and programs in which inmate labor is used by private entities through state contracts, and prohibit privately operated programs from unfairly competing with Washington businesses.

Should this constitutional amendment be: Approved or Rejected

Engrossed House Joint Resolution 4204

The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on school district tax levies.

This amendment would provide for approval of school district excess property tax levies by simple majority vote of participating voters, and would eliminate supermajority approval requirements based on voter turnout in previous elections.

Should this constitutional amendment be: Approved or Rejected

Substitute House Joint Resolution 4215

The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on investment of higher education permanent funds.

This amendment would authorize the investment of money in higher education permanent funds as permitted by law, and would permit investment in stocks or bonds issued by any company, if authorized by law.

Should this constitutional amendment be: Approved or Rejected

Charter Amendment 17

The city council has proposed to amend the city charter to add a preamble.

The amendment would add a preamble to the charter stating its purpose. That purpose is to protect and improve the health, safety, environment and general welfare of the people; enable city government to provide services and meet the people’s needs efficiently; allow equal and fair participation of all persons in city government; provide for an open, accountable, and ethical government and civil service; foster financial responsibility; promote prosperity; and meet the needs of a healthy growing city.

Should this charter amendment be approved? Yes or No

Charter Amendment 18

The city council has proposed an amendment to Article V, Section 6 of the city charter concerning the mayor’s annual messages to the city council.

The amendment would change the charter section concerning the mayor’s annual State-of-the-City message to the city council. The charter now requires one such message annually, in June. The amendment would require the mayor to present this message in February instead. It would also require the mayor to present a second annual message to the council when the mayor presents a proposed budget.

Should this charter amendment be approved? Yes or No