Update on 2011 Ballot Measures
Tim Eyman & I-1125:
April’s email included an update on March PDC reports showing a contribution of $25K from Kemper Freeman to Voters Want More Choices. Although most recent PDC reports show Eyman has only raised $12K since then, he has announced plans to move forward with Initiative 1125. Eyman’s viability is questionable given he has $30K cash on hand and filed 3 unrelated initiatives after this announcement.
What is Initiative 1125:
Ballot Title
Initiative Measure No. 1125 concerns state expenditures on transportation
This measure would prohibit the use of motor vehicle fund revenue and vehicle toll revenue for non-transportation purposes, and require that road and bridge tolls be set by the legislature and be project-specific.
Ballot Measure Summary
This measure would prohibit motor vehicle fund revenue and vehicle toll revenue from being used for non-transportation purposes. It would prohibit non-highway use of state highway lanes funded by gas taxes or vehicle tolls. It would require the legislature to set tolls, and would provide that a toll on a particular road or bridge, including the Interstate 90 floating bridge, could be used only for construction, operation, or maintenance of that particular road or bridge.
Impacts of Initiative 1125:
· Toll revenue could only be spent on the project where it was raised.
· The toll must be the same rate at all times. No change in toll amounts during peak hours.
· State lawmakers would have to set toll rates, not an appointed commission.
For more information: Spokane Editorial, Seattle Times
Other Measures:
(1) The Humane Society's Initiative 1130 has collected over 166,000 signatures and raised over $370K. Stop the Extremists - No 1130 filed a political committee this week.
(2) SEIU has filed a political committee, People for Efficient and Accountable Home Care. They will soon decide which initiative, of the many that have been filed, will move forward.
(3) The campaigns to legalize marijuana and prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving public services, Sensible Washington’s I-1149 and Respect Washington’s I-1122, have not made significant strides in fundraising. No other initiatives have filed political committees although the Tacoma News Tribune reported Kris Brannon is collecting signatures to change the state song, Initiative 1158.
Ballot Measure Reform:
California is moving forward with ballot measure reform legislation.
· SB 448 require signature gatherers to wear badges identifying themselves as either volunteer or paid. Passed the Senate.
· SB 168 requires signature gatherers to be paid by hour instead of signature. Also passed the Senate.
· SB 334 requires top five donors to initiative to be listed on voter pamphlet.
Another bill, SCA 4, would require sponsors of initiatives that require a significant amount of money to implement identify where that funding would come from.
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/may/10/herdt-putting-direct-democracy-back-on-track/ Wisconsin may be the next state to push for ballot measure reform. Republicans were accused of signature fraud in the Wisconsin recall battle. (Signature of lawmaker's dead father on recall papers, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 30.)
Other ballot measure news across the country (from BISC):
· Missouri legislators approved a voter ID measure for the 2012 ballot. If voters approve the amendment the legislature would have authority to require voters show ID before voting and allow voters to vote in advance of Election Day.
· A poll of Minnesotans shows 80 percent support for voter ID (again, the poll did not focus on likely voters). The proposed law is facing a gubernatorial veto, but Republicans introduced a constitutional amendment to bypass the governor and send the measure to the 2012 ballot.
· Lawmakers in North Dakota ordered a study of the proposed initiative to eliminate the state property tax.
· The National Labor Relations Board filed suit Friday to void a voter-approved “Save Our Secret Ballot” amendment. (Arizona sued over amendment on secret ballot for unionization, Arizona Daily Star, May 7.)
· The Minnesota Senate approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage on Wednesday. The House is expected to pass the measure and place it on the 2012 ballot. But a new poll shows that a majority of state residents oppose the ban (Sadly, the poll did not hone in on likely voters.)
· Last week, Republican legislators in Florida sent a flurry of bad constitutional amendments to the 2012 ballot. Florida voters are now facing seven ballot measures, including TABOR and anti-choice and anti-healthcare measures. (Florida legislators load November 2012 ballot with long-sought amendment proposals, St. Petersburg Times, May 10.
· Legislators in Arkansas are bucking the anti-tax trend, and they believe the voters are on their side. A number of local tax increases and three statewide ballot measures that raise revenue are up for votes in 2011 and 2012. (Local-option tax increases loom ahead of statewide road-tax votes, Arkansas News Bureau, May 2.)
--
Kristina Logsdon
Ballot Initiative Network Project Director
Win/Win Network
1402 3rd Avenue Suite 201
Seattle, WA 98101
w: 206-420-0139
m: 206-898-4362
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