Washington
The revenue from the 0.002 percent tax increase will go toward various transportation improvements within Bellingham. These improvements include repaving streets to include other options for pedestrians and bikers, such as bike lanes and new sidewalks.
A ballot initiative in Washington state that would privatize liquor sales and overhaul beer- and wine-distribution rules is trailing 52% to 48% with more than half the votes tallied. The ballot measure enjoyed the financial support of wholesale-club giant Costco Wholesale Corp. and received additional funding from such retailers as Safeway Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. But an opposition campaign called “Protect Our Communities” received contributions from groups representing brewers Anheuser-Busch InBev NV and MillerCoors LLC, as well as the nation’s beer distributors.
City and county leaders are keeping a watchful eye on the ballot measures to get the state out of the business of selling hard liquor and let the private sector take over. Initiatives 1100 and 1105 would both eliminate a source of hundreds of thousands of dollars for basic services, they say, and it’s unclear whether either one would generate enough revenues to fully fill the gap. Ballots for the mail-in election are due next Tuesday.
Homebuilder Rob Carlisle is carefully managing costs for materials and labor these days to keep his small Seattle company profitable, but he’s frustrated by what he pays for workers’ compensation insurance. “My rate increases have been pretty ridiculous, and we’re a pretty safe company,” Carlisle said. “If it was privatized and private companies were allowed to come in and compete, I feel I could get the same coverage for my employees for less.”
A new Washington Poll released last week shows that nearly 3 voters out of 4 think the state’s initiative and referendum process have been a good thing for the state. Â This comes on the heels of a Citizens in Charge/Citizens in Charge Foundation poll showing similar support for the process. You can see both polls below.
On Page 9 of the Washington Poll voters are asked the following question to 500 registered voters,
Financial directors across South County are in the midst of preparing city budgets. As in past budget cycles they are accounting for police, utility and labor costs. What makes this year unique is the uncertainty created by Initiatives 1100 and 1105 on the general election ballot. The passage of either or both of the initiatives, each involving the future function of the state’s Liquor Control Board, will impact city coffers.
Initiative activist Tim Eyman’s latest smaller-government campaign is straight from the greatest hits collection: requiring a two-thirds supermajority for the Washington Legislature to raise taxes. The concept has been supported by the state’s voters multiple times in ballot measures over the years. It also has been suspended by state lawmakers when tight budgets push them to raise taxes, as majority Democrats did earlier this year.
Washington voters face two initiatives on the general election ballot that would end the state monopoly on hard liquor sales. Initiative 1100 also would eliminate price controls and other regulations, some of which have been in place since the 1930s. Retailers now selling beer and wine could add hard liquor. They also would be able to buy beer and wine directly from manufacturers.
The Chamber opposes I-1098, the proposed income tax on individuals earning more than $200,000. The Chamber noted that the initiative also would tax S corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships and would be very damaging to many Eastside companies. “For local businesses, Initiative 1098 creates an additional 9 percent tax on top of the B&O taxes they already pay,” said Jean Bartell Barber, Vice Chairman and Treasurer of The Bartell Drug Company. “National competitors will pay no additional tax.
Washington is one of only eight states that don’t have an income tax but that could change for its wealthiest residents if voters pass a tax initiative on the November ballot. Initiative 1098 is pitting big names against each other. Bill Gates’ father is the major sponsor of the initiative but the current CEO of his son’s company, Microsoft, is against it. And somewhere between $10 million and $20 million will be spent to sway voters to the idea that taxing the rich is what’s best for the state’s financial woes.
An initiative on the November ballot called the Children Investment Fund aims to help reduce Spokane’s drop out rate. Voters would be asked to pay 35 cents more for every $1,000 their property is worth to create a $5 Million fund for early childhood education, before and after school programs and mentorship programs. Supporters of the Children Initiative Fun say kids only spend 25-percent of their time in school and in order for them to be successful at school they have to be supported before and after and need to start learning in a classroom setting at an early age.
Signature gatherers for anti-tunnel Initiative 101 are becoming more conspicuous, in their red shirts at grocery stores and farmers markets. Organizer Elizabeth Campbell says 5,000 people have signed. What voters might not realize is that even if the measure attracts the required 20,629 valid signatures, it likely wouldn’t appear on the Seattle ballot until May ”” months after the state Department of Transportation is to sign a construction deal in January for at least $1.1 billion, to build a four-lane Highway 99 tunnel from Sodo to South Lake Union.
Apparently a new record was set for spending on an initiative in Washington State recently. The American Beverage Association has plopped down over $14 million to try and overturn a soda tax passed by the State Legislature.
The court ruled in favor of the city of Mukilteo and Snohomish County last week, allowing the Initiative No. 2 red-light camera issue to remain on the Nov. 2 ballot. Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Michael Downes said the camera issue was unique in that not only do the citizens want to vote, but the City Council wants to hear from the people. “I see no harm in letting the voters vote,” Downes said. Mukilteo Citizens for Simple Government sued the city of Mukilteo and Snohomish County to stop the red-light cameras from reaching the ballot.
Large retailers Costco and Safeway could be allowed to sell hard liquor if voters approve Initiative 1100 in November. Currently, hard alcohol is sold in stores licensed by the state. The state provides the inventory, while those with state contracts receive base pay and a sales commission. But critics of the state’s role call it a “Prohibition-style monopoly” on liquor sales.