2011 Election Resources from Washington Policy Center

Statewide

Citizen's Guide to Initiative 1125
I-1125 is known as the "Protect Gas Taxes and Toll Revenues Act – Protect the 18th Amendment to Washington’s Constitution." I-1125 contains eight provisions that would affect how Washington officials collect and spend revenue from highway tolls. Read more >>

Citizens' Guide to Initiative 1183: To End Washington's Liquor Store Monopoly
If passed, I-1183 would end the state's 78-year-old monopoly on the sale of liquor in Washington. I-1183 is similar to last year's Initiative 1100, which was rejected by voters, but there are also important differences. Read more >>

Citizens' Guide to Senate Joint Resolution 8206: To Enhance the State's Constitutional Savings Account
SJR 8206, one of WPC's policy recommendations, is a proposal to enhance the existing constitutionally protected savings account for the state budget. The proposed constitutional amendment would build on a previous constitutional amendment adopted by voters in 2007 that created a rainy-day savings account for the budget, replacing the state’s statutory emergency reserve. The 2007 proposal passed with 68% of the vote. Read more >>

Initiative 1163
I-1163 would  require workers providing long-term care  for elderly and disabled people to meet certain training requirements in 2012 instead of 2014, as current law prescribes.  The Initiative also requires additional criminal background checks for workers in the long-term care field. In addition, I-1163 contains provision to enhance audits of long-term care programs and administrative caps to keep costs of implementing the program low.  For a more detailed review of Initiative 1163 visit the Secretary of State’s election resource: Elections and Voting

Senate Joint Resolution 8205
SJR 8205 removes duplicative provisions in the state’s constitution that deal with voter eligibility issues in Washington.  Specifically, SJR 8205 removes article VI, section 1A, which required that voters establish residency at least 60 days in advance of an election.  This provision in the state’s constitution is outdated because the state previously adopted constitutional provisions that supersedes article VI, section 1A.  For a more detailed review of Senate Joint Resolution 8205, visit the Secretary of state’s election resource: Elections and Voting

Local

Accountability and Learning: Assessing Seattle's Families and Education Levy
Seattle school administrators are seeking approval of a fourth education levy in two years.  Currently Seattle spends half-a-billion dollars each year to educate children, and education research shows spending more money will not improve learning for Seattle school children. Read more >>

Citizens' Guide to Spokane Proposition 1: The Community Bill of Rights Proposal
This November, voters in the city of Spokane will again be asked to approve an amendment to the City Charter establishing a "Community Bill of Rights." The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as Proposition 1. The measure is being promoted by a political action committee that says its goal is to "overturn corporate governance." Read more >>