NPI ENDORSEMENTS FOR 2006 STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES
Welcome to NPI's endorsements page for 2006 Washington State ballot measures. For each initiative, we've included our position, a description of what the ballot measure is, and the rationale for our stand, as well as a link to the relevant campaign.
Initiative 920
Position: Vote a resounding NO
Description: "This measure would repeal Washington’s state laws imposing tax,currently dedicated for the education legacy trust fund, on transfers of estates of persons dying on or after the effective date of this measure."
Reason: Public schools in Washington State are already badly underfunded, but Initiative 920 would make the problem much worse. I-920 is a rich man's effort to take away hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for the Education Legacy Trust, which funds smaller class sizes and higher education opportunities. I-920 would repeal the state's estate tax, giving an exclusive tax break to a small club of Washington's wealthiest 250 multimillionaires. This isn't tax reform for middle and lower income families, it's a giveaway to the rich, and it will hurt students and families across our state. Washington's schools have fallen to 42nd in the nation in spending per student, but a few wealthy moguls are demanding a big tax break for themselves.
We can't afford to eliminate education funding. Nor can we afford to eliminate one of the fairest taxes we have. There is no such thing as a self-made man or woman. Every businessperson has used our capitalist system and American infrastructure, which taxpayers paid for, to make their money. Nationally, the banking system, the Treasury & Commerce departments, the Federal Reserve, and the judicial system (where nine tenths of cases involve corporate law). And here in Washington State, our public education system. These are all examples of wise taxpayer investments that have benefited corporations and wealthy investors.
Proponents of the estate tax repeal will claim it hurts small businesses and farms. That's nonsense. They're saying that because they know they don't have any real argument to appeal to voters. Family farms and timberlands are completely exempt from the estate tax.
Our children are our future. That's why we need to invest in education. Protect our public school system and later generations - vote NO on I-920.
More Information: Permanent Defense
Initiative 933
Position: Vote a resounding NO
Description: "This measure would require compensation when government regulation damages the use or value of private property, would forbid regulations that prohibit existing legal uses of private property, and would provide exceptions or payments."
Reason: The official description sounds reasonable, but don't be fooled. Initiative 933 is the most dangerous of the two right wing initiatives on the ballot this year. It is nothing less than a complete gutting of Washington State's land use and zoning laws. If it isn't defeated, it will have significant, immediate, and devastating consequences. I-933 means the end of growth management and careful urban or rural land use planning - it will destroy laws that protect critical ares such as lakes, wetlands, and streams. Foresty and conservation efforts would be wiped out. How does one initiative do so much damage?
I-933 would institute a "pay or waive" system whereby property owners can file "damage" claims against the government, alleging that government regulations have harmed the value of their property. If the state or local government body in question refuses to use taxpayer dollars to pay the property owner, the regulation is simply waived.
No notice would be given to adjacent property owners when an I-933 "damage claim" is asserted - nor would notice be required when the challenged rules are actually waived and protections removed. Even if such a notice were given, neighboring property owners would have no way to defend their own interests other than hiring their own lawyers and filing lawsuits. I-933 takes away YOUR rights and hurts YOUR community, guaranteed.
If I-933 takes effect it will cost us billions of dollars just to save land use protections that are already in place. I-933 proponents are making all kinds of ludicrous and Orwellian claims, from asserting it will stop eminent domain abuse (I-933 has nothing to do with eminent domain) to alleging it will save farms and open spaces (in reality, it will ensure the demise of farms and open spaces). Vote NO on I-933 and protect your neighborhood and quality of life.
More Information: Permanent Defense
Initiative 937
Position: Vote YES
Description: "This measure would require certain electric utilities with 25,000 or more customers to meet certain targets for energy conservation and use of renewable energy resources, as defined, including energy credits, or pay penalties."
Reason: The only common sense measure on the ballot this year, Initiative 937 will guarantee that by the year 2020, 15% of the electricity from Washington's largest utilities will come from renewable energy sources such as wind or solar, or new efficiency upgrades at existing hydropower facilities. Quite simply, it is an important step towards securing our energy future. I-937 ensures that homeowners and businesses will have better access to cleaner, cost-efficient energy in the decades to come. It will create family-wage jobs and provide crucial additional income to rural landowners (for instance, farmers hosting wind projects earn more than $5,000 a year per wind turbine, helping to keep family farms alive).
It is very similiar to legislation which has already been enacted in at least 20 other states - and it was drafted with public input, including advice from utilities, regulators and consumers. I-937 enjoys broad, bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats alike. It does not raise or lower taxes, nor does it hurt small businesses. It is pure, common sense. Vote YES on I-937 and help put Washington State on the path to energy security.
More Information: Yes on I-937
© 2006 Smart Initiatives For Washington Alliance.
SIFWA is a division of the Northwest Progressive Institute.
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