An intensifying political fight over six conservative ballot initiatives reached the steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday, with dozens of people joining Republican legislators to demand public hearings on the measures.
The initiatives target social, tax and climate policies backed by Democrats and are on track to go to voters in November.
House Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, told rally-goers the state Constitution requires the Legislature to conduct hearings on each initiative even if there is no chance they will be approved by lawmakers.
Stokesbary’s comments came a few minutes after House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, told reporters no decision has been made on whether to hold hearings, and that her caucus disagrees with the GOP’s position on the hearing requirement.
Meanwhile, the spigot has cracked open on cash contributions to oppose the measures, with a roughly $1 million donation now on the books for a campaign to defend the state’s cap-and-trade law.
— Washington State Standard
Keep the initiatives coming the Democrats don’t want to compromise on anything the only way to keep our state government in check is to put the issues to the voters. I hope the lawmakers see just how unpopular their policies are.
These are common sense initiatives I would hope the majority of Washingtonians would agree on. It’s not a Republican effort. Brandi Kruse lead the rally. She is hardly a Republican. It’s encouraging to see a broad range of citizens who have not been able to get the Legislature to listen to the will of the people uniting for better public policy. Isn’t that what we all want? Better policies?
Like.
Look to who paid for the signature gathering…
This appears to be yet another case of the uber rich using MAGA to protect their Capital Gains.
They are going after Schools, Seniors in need of Nursing Care and anyone impacted by global warming.
Just to keep their personal piles of dough growing.
Chuck, are you saying everyone who signed the initiatives are MAGA? Are you not tired of the lies from Inslee about the carbon tax? Maybe you forgot that the price of gas would only go up a few Pennie’s. Long term care is another Inslee disaster. I could go on and on. I’m just sick of the one party state taxing us to death. Billions in reserve, not enough for Olympia? No, they want more.
The climate commitment act, is a regressive tax impacting the working class. A King5 report shows State government underestimated the costs at the pump and retaliated against the states top economist when reporting the true costs.
We’ve seen how poorly Govt manages our money, with little accountability. Where’s the progress on homelessness, crime, housing, education? WA stats speak for themselves, we need change. OSPI 23’ 39.1% met math standard. No. 2 in nation for property crime, 2nd in country for most unhoused (Kiro7, 22’). Seattle hit a record murder count. The WA cares act is a joke, you’d be better off saving money yourself, they should create a tax deferred investment account instead. Another regressive tax, with a small payout.
Nothing to do with MAGA, everything to do with common sense.
100% agree LaFon!
Why are those who are elected by the people not working for the people and disregarding the state constitution? Those who are opposed to give the initiatives a hearing are not above the law or the constitution. What are they afraid of?
I challenge the naysayers to read the initiatives for themselves. The initiatives advocate our constitutional rights, protection of our children, public safety, and stopping the bogus tax burdens to the citizens of WA State.
Let’s not forget the billions of dollars WA has in surplus!! We the people have spoken.
Now it’s time for the legislators to listen and act responsibly.
Give the 6 initiatives a hearing!
Charles, how about you refrain from demonizing and note that over 400,000 Washington citizens signed the initiatives and just want them to go to a vote of the people.
Also look at the details of each initiative. I think even you would be in favor of the change in police pursuit, because crime is up significantly in Washington state.
Thanks for sharing Sandra,
I demonize no one, only try to maybe shed a bit of light on the heavy opposition to the Cap Gains Tax.
An example:
April is hired by Microsoft for an important position. Due to Microsoft’s compensation via stock options etc. April acquires 4000 shares of Microsoft stock at average $50 per share, $200,000. Fully vested, and years later April sells her shares for $411 each and nets a profit of $1,444,000. The Washington State Capital Gains Tax would take 7% of the amount of profit in excess of $250,000 or a total tax of $83,000 which would go for Schools, a use I strongly support.
The Federal Capital Gains Tax was ravaged by a past Administration and I don’t feel it demonic to claw a small bit of it back to fund the education of our children.
About the Police Pursuit thing: I would rather 50 miscreants get away Scott Free rather than hear in the news about another student splattered in a cross walk by a speeding Police vehicle.
Why not hold hearings on these initiatives? Isn’t this about voter engagement and including all views regarding governance impacting everyday living in Washington state specifically? What about giving a hearing is so difficult? For example, Why not hear from the parents who lost their 12 year old daughter due to existing laws and give them an opportunity to speak to our lawmakers directly? Why can’t we change what we can’t talk about or discuss freely with our lawmakers? Let’s encourage our lawmakers to engage with voter initiatives, to hear every side, and to not suppress the sincere voter voice in these issues, even as our state constitution provides for.
The six initiatives, each of which has now been certified by the secretary of state, drew a combined 2.6 million signatures from 800,000 registered voters. They range from a parental bill of rights to repealing the state’s capital gains tax to easing restrictions on vehicle pursuit laws.
The democrats do not want hearings or debate on any of these initiatives because it would shed too much light on them . If that happens many of the people who automatically vote as D’s tell them , might just vote for their own interest rather than ( as usual ) simply do as they are told.
I read the RCW section on initiatives (29A.72) but couldn’t find a public hearing requirement. If anyone wants to provide a citation, would greatly appreciate it.
It’s great to see ppl getting involved in the legislative session, though admittedly all the initiatives this year being proposed by Let’s Go Washington make me really nervous and if they go to the ballot, I’m probably a no on all of them.
Mary, I hope you read each measure carefully before dismissing them. One includes a measure to strengthen parental rights. Shouldn’t parents be the ones to help their children first before the government? Another gives people the option to opt out of the LTC tax. The current law only gives people who qualify, a total of $36,000 for long term care. And you need to pay into it for 10 years to qualify. The one for public safety allows the police to pursue criminals. Right now criminals know that if they can just get into their car, they can escape from the police. Does that make for a safer society? Ask the police who see the crime being committed and have to watch those responsible drive away. Perhaps you won’t support all of them, but I’m guessing a few you would. Let’s look at each initiative using logic and reason rather than emotions. These are broad based initiatives that will improve life in Washington for many. Thanks for your comment.