Links for info on 2010 initiatives

[eridani]

No on 1053 (Eyman for California-style Gridlock)

Web: http://www.voteno1053.com/


No on 1082 (Workers Comp)
Web: http://voteno1082.com/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/NO-on-1082/126613054020071?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/VoteNo1082

No on 1100/1105 (Liquor)

Web: http://protectourcommunities.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NO-on-1100-and-1105/104484059608635
Twitter: http://twitter.com/NO11001105



No on 1107 (Soda Tax)
Web: http://www.voteno1107.com/


Yes on 1098 (cuts taxes for middle class and small biz)

Web: http://www.yeson1098.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yes-on-1098/123112414371743
UW Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/?act=19702257#!/group.php?gid=122954107725555
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Yeson1098

Yes on R-52 (School Bonds)
Web: http://www.healthyschoolsforwa.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Healthy-Schools-for-WA-Approve-Ref-52/119805128057320?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ApproveRef52

[eridani]

1. The Seattle P-I wants to hear your opinions about the intiatives:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/davidhorsey/archives/219875.asp

Here are our endorsements for your guidance if you need it:
http://www.wa-democrats.org/content/ballot-measures


And a video featuring our former Communications Director Anne Martens about each initiative:
http://www.publicola.net/2010/08/30/publicolatv-the-progressive-take-on-the-2010-ballot-measures/

Please add your voice to this debate!

[eridani]

2. Liquor business initiatives

http://www.publicola.net/2010/09/23/independent-agency-report-costco-bad-state-run-liquor-good/

Obviously, since the report comes from a quasi-prohibitionist group, they’ve got an inherent bias. But their data is solid—they aren’t just pulling numbers out of a hat. Marin argues that a lot more people will be tippling if liquor is privatized: “Based on comparisons with privatized state systems, spirits consumption in Washington could increase as much as 15 percent in future years,” they say, citing the Washington State Auditor’s report on the privatization of alcohol, which indicated that we could have as many as 3,300 private outlets selling booze.

The scary stats make sense given that far more stores will be authorized to sell alcohol. That doesn’t necessarily mean that there are 3,300 brand new liquor stores coming to a neighborhood near you—more likely, that’s the number of Costcos and Safeways and Wal-Marts all over the state (which already sell beer and wine). But regardless: more locations where you can buy hard alcohol means more drinking, and more drinking means “more alcohol-related problems,” according to a study cited in the report.

[Upton]

6. Baloney..

I may vote against the liquor initiatives, haven't decided yet, but if I do it won't be because some prohibitionist group claims their passing will lead to "alcohol related problems." Sounds like the same kind of argument we hear from opponents whenever the subject of legalizing pot or any other drug is brought up...

[eridani]

7. I think that the state liquor board is a great model for MJ legalization myself

The arguments against privatization are in no way "prohibitionist." The point of ending prohibition of anything is to make sane REGULATION possible. Kids have easier access to illegal drugs than to legal ones, including alcohol.

If marijuana were legal, you'd have the following options.

1. Get if from a control board
2. Get if from a medical MJ dispensary
3. Grow your own, up to some legal number of plants.
4. Do without.

Fine by me, and most dopers I know could live with those restricitons.

[Esor]

9. Then why

would you vote against it?

[eridani]

10. I don't want liquor sales privatized

I see no benefits, and a lot of costs. For MJ legalization, our liquor control board is a very good model.

[eridani]

3. I-1100 Liquor Measure a Threat to Craft Brews

http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2010/08/i-1100_liquor_measure_a_threat.php

Beer brewers and drinkers opposed to privatization of state liquor sales? Indeed, says Heather McClung, president of theWashington Brewers Guild, which represents the state's small craft breweries and, roundaboutly, craft-brew drinkers. Her industry is lined up against I-1100 - though still weighing I-1105 - the privatization measures headed for the November ballot and detailed in last week's SW cover story. "There is something that is being left out of the discussion it seems," says McClung.

I-1100, for example, is actively promoted as a modernizing of liquor laws, she says, when it's actually a sweeping proposal that repeals 39 state laws, enabling the biggest retailers, distributors, and producers to own and give favorable pricing to each other. That, says McClung, of Seattle's Schooner Exact Brewing Company, would eliminate the level playing field that small breweries such as hers need if they are to prosper.

The craft brewers guild has around 50 members across the state, from, alphabetically, Airways Brewing (Kent) to Yakima Craft; many are Seattle brewers including Ram, Pyramid, Pike, Hales, Elysian. Fremont, Georgetown and Redhook. In a position paper the brewers are about to release, they point out that the state is home to one of the fastest growing craft brewing industries in the country, and:

The majority of the Washington craft brewing industry is small businesses. I-1100 would stunt the growth of our industry as breweries encounter more competition and pressure to give discounts, free product and services to obtain shelf space or handles at big box stores, chain restaurants, and other retailers. A reduction of microbrew presence in the marketplace would have a disastrous effect on our burgeoning craft beer culture.

McClung says that "I-1100 deregulates the entire alcohol industry, not just spirits." She hopes that the public and media will "realize the effects of this proposal reach much farther than being able to purchase a bottle of Jack at a local convenience store." Here's more on the brewers' position.

[uppityperson]

4. Thank you again for posting this. kicking to the top

[eridani]

5. Protect Washington website now up

http://protectwashington.org/

We are excited to announce the new Protect Washington website launch today!

We heard your requests for a one-stop-shop with information about all of the ballot initiatives and links to the official campaign sites - ask and you shall receive. Check it out.

Promote this widely with your networks, email it out to your members today, and share it using the "Tell A Friend" link in the top right corner.

Like us on Facebook! With your help we can get 1,000 likes by the end of the week.

Follow us on Twitter! It's a great way to get immediate updates.

Link to us from your website - here's a handy web badge that your webmaster can easily put up on your website!

For anybody who needs information, direct them to Protect Washington and they can find everything they need.

Thanks,
Anne

Anne Martens
Communications Hub • Ballot Initiative Network • 206-902-7181


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[eridani]

8. Sightline has an analysis of the initiatives taken as a whole

http://www.sightline.org/research/sust_toolkit/communications-strategy/nov2010ballot

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

11. How will I explain all this to someone who is 87 yaars old !

And those judges !

Thanks !