Ballot Measures
The 2010 election has an extensive list of ballot measures that we will be voting on in November. The 46th District discussed and considered endorsements for the following ballot measures at our August meeting.
Senate Joint Resolution 8225
Concerns the limitation on state debt.
Background: The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on state debt. This amendment would require the state to reduce the interest accounted for in calculating the constitutional debt limit, by the amount of federal payments scheduled to be received to offset that interest.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats Support this amendment and urge you to vote YES.
The proposal would align with the stimulus bill language to take advantage of the Federal subsidy. Gina from the Treasurer's office believes this will provide approximately $650 million over 5 years, although the actual amount depends on economic conditions.
Resources: Ballotpedia, Secretary of State 2010 Voters Guide
Washington Judge Bail Authority Constitutional Amendment
Background: The proposed amendment is also known as the Lakewood Police Officers Memorial Act. It was placed on the ballot through Washington House Joint Resolution 4220.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats REJECT this amendment and urge you to vote NO.
Points raised during the debate included the fact that the amendment was introduced after a single incident, and that reactions are not a good way to draft long term public policy.
Resource: Ballotpedia
I-1053
Background: I-1053 would require a two-thirds majority of the Washington State Legislature, or a statewide popular vote, for any tax increases. This measure reinstates the law created by I-960 in 2007, which was temporarily suspended by the State Legislature during the 2010 Legislative Session due to the budget shortfall. Keeping the 2/3 requirement would have made it impossible to balance the budget without severe cuts to needed public services.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats REJECT this initiative, and urge you to vote NO.
We believe in balanced budgets, and we believe that the government has the obligation to provide needed services. This means that when revenue goes down because of a recession, additional tax revenue must be found and passed to cover the shortfall.
Resources: No on 1053 Campaign, Ballotpedia, Permanent Defense
I-1082
Background: The Washington Workers' Comp Insurance Reform Initiative aims to privatize/deregulate industrial insurance. Specifically the initiative would create a Joint Legislative Task Force on Private Competition for Industrial Insurance.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats REJECT this initiative, and urge you to vote NO.
Our current system is well established and very successful. With worker's compensation plans, workers waive their right to sue for work-related injuries, and take workers compensation instead. This initiative would put workers at a disadvantage.
Resources: No on 1082 Campaign, Facebook, Twitter, Ballotpedia
I-1098
Background: This measure would implement an income tax for high earners in Washington State. The tax brackets start with a 5% tax at $200,000 of Adjusted Gross Income for individuals and $400,000 for couples filing jointly. The next bracket is at 9% for individuals earning $500,000 and couples earning more than $1Million.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats SUPPORT this initiative, and urge you to vote YES.
An income tax would should raise about $2 billion in revenues for education, while cutting state property taxes by 20% and eliminating B&O taxes for the majority of small business.. The average house in King County would see about $180 reduction in property tax. These income taxes are deductible from Federal Income Taxes.
Resources: Yes on I-1098 Campaign, Facebook, Twitter, Ballotpedia
I-1100 & I-1105
Background: These measures would privatize the sale of hard liquor in the state of Washington. I-1100 is sponsored by the Retaliers, and I-1105 is sponsored by the Wholesalers.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats REJECT these initiatives, and urge you to vote NO on both.
Our State Liquor Stores provide thousands of good paying jobs, and ensure the safety of our kids by limiting the places where hard liquor can be bought. Putting heavy spirits onto the shelves of grocery stores would eliminate 4,000 jobs, reduce the current revenue provided to our state budget by $300 million over the next three years, and increase the likelyhood that minors would have access to alcohol. We don't believe that Washington State can afford these initiatives.
Resources: Protect our Communities Campaign, Facebook, Twitter, Ballotpedia on I-1100, Ballotpedia on I-1105
I-1107
Background: This ballot measure would reverse some of the tax increases on soda and candy.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats REJECT this initiative, and urge you to vote NO.
We believe that the taxes raised on these products are necessary to balance the budget, and will not reduce the sales at all. Soda, candy and bottled water are items that we can afford to tax, and the loss of $94 Million in revenue would hurt our state's ability to provide needed services.
Resources: Ballotpedia
Referendum Bill 52
Background: This bill would authorize bonds to construct energy efficiency savings improvements to schools, including higher education buildings.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats SUPPORT this initiative, and urge you to vote YES.
The bonds would create 30,000 new construction jobs. The Referendum is endorsed by the League of Education Voters, Mom's Rising, and many other groups. This would allow the state to bypass its debt capacity ceiling. The bonds will be repaid by having lower construction costs down the road, and lower operating costs.
Resources: Ballotpedia
King County Charter Amendments
There will be three Charter Amendments on the ballot this November. These are the last of the amendments proposed to the County in 2008.
Ordinance 2009-0496: Streamline the filing of campaign-related finance reports
Background: This Charter Amendment changes financial reporting requirements for candidates. Since candidates file with the State Public Disclosure Commission, and those PDC filings are public and on the Internet, filing with the County has become redundant. This amendment would clarify that county filings of financial reports would not be required going forward.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats SUPPORT this amendment, and urge you to vote YES.
We report our financial records to the State Public Disclosure Commission, and we recognize that the Internet has made this type of reporting much more efficient. Reducing the duplicate work only makes sense.
Resources: Ballotpedia
Ordinance 2010-0328: Highlight the County’s responsibility in unincorporated areas
Background: This charter amendment recognizes the responsibility of King County Government for regional AND local services in areas.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats SUPPORT this amendment,
and urge you to vote YES.
We support the need for our county to provide the infrastructure for everyone in our county.
Resources: Ballotpedia
Ordinance 2010-0169: Sheriff’s Bargaining Powers for Labor Contracts
Background: Under current rules, the County Executive negotiates labor contracts. Under this charter amendment, the County Executive would negotiate wages, but the Sheriff would negotiate working conditions.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats OPPOSE this amendment, and urge you to vote NO.
This amendment changes the checks and balances of County Government, and we recognize that the Sheriff's office is different from other agencies, because the Sheriff is part of the agency. We think that the office of the Executive should retain the right to negotiate labor contracts for the whole of County Government.
Resources: King County Council
King County Public Safety Sales Tax Increase
Background: This measure would raise sales taxes in King County by 2 tenths of one percent. The King County Council passed this by a vote of 5-4. Revenues would be used for criminal justice.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats SUPPORT this measure,
and urge you to vote YES.
So far, about $140 million has been cut from the general fund. This tax would raise a fraction of that amount. We need this tax revenue to continue to keep our communities safe.
Resources: Ballotpedia
Seattle Schools Levy
Background: This levy would provide about $16 million per year for 3 years. This would correspond to about $48 per year for a $400,000 house. This is a new levy.
Our position: The 46th District Democrats SUPPORT this measure,
and urge you to vote YES.
Our schools need the funding, because of cuts in the state budget. The levy would replace a fraction of the funding that was lost. The revenues would provide textbooks and operating funds. The Seattle School Board works hard to give value for the levy funding.
Resources: Schools First Seattle
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