The history of the initiative and referendum process in Washington began in 1897, though indirect initiatives were not ratified into the state constitution until 1912 with the passage of the Right to Initiative and Referendum Amendment.
In 2000, initiative advocate Tim Eyman, like Bill Sizemore in Oregon and Douglas Bruce in Colorado, had a passion for tax reduction. He placed several initiatives on the ballot in 2000 and 2001 that passed overwhelmingly. However, the state supreme court struck them down as violating the state’s stringent single subject rule for initiatives.
Now we have six single subject statewide initiates before voters. To be certified, they must contain the signatures of at least 324,516 registered voters. Let’s Go Washington, Brian Heywood, Steve Gordon and NECA Puget Sound Chapter are the primary sponsors:
I-2113 Reasonable Police Pursuit
No Fake Solutions
Ballot measure summary:
This measure would remove certain restrictions on when peace officers may engage in vehicular pursuits. Such pursuits would be allowed when the officer has a reasonable suspicion a person has violated the law, pursuit is necessary to identify or apprehend the person, the person poses a threat to the safety of others, safety risks are greater than those of the pursuit, and a supervisor authorized the pursuit.
I-2117 Stop The Hidden Gas Tax
The Carbon Tax = Higher Gas Prices
Ballot measure summary
The measure would prohibit state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, including “cap and trade” or “cap and tax” programs, regardless of whether the resulting increased costs are imposed on fuel recipients or fuel suppliers. It would repeal sections of the 2021 Washington Climate Commitment Act as amended, including repealing the creation and medication of a “cap and invest” program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by specific entities.
I-2124 Opt Out of State-Run Long Term Care Coverage Act
Let Workers Choose
Ballot measure summary
This measure would amend state law establishing a state long term care insurance program to provide that employees and self-employed people must elect to keep coverage under RCW 50B.04, allow employees to opt-out of coverage under RCW 50B.04 at any time, and repeal a current law governing exemptions for employees who had purchased long term care insurance before November 1, 2021.
I-2109 Repeal the Capital Gains Tax
Don’t Punish Innovators & Family Businesses
Ballot measure summary
This measure would repeal an excise tax imposed on the sale of exchange of certain long-term capital assets by individuals who have annual capital gains of over $250,000.
I-2111 No State Income Tax
Keep Washington Prosperous
Ballot measure summary
This measure would prohibit the state, counties, cities, and other local jurisdictions from imposing or collecting income taxes, defined as having the same meaning as “gross income” in the Internal Revenue Code.
I-2081 Parental Notification
Parents Have the Right to Know
Ballot measure summary
The measure would allow parents and guardians of public schoolchildren to review instructional materials and inspect student records, including health and disciplinary records, upon request. It would require public schools to provide parents and guardians with certain notifications, including about medical services given and when students are taken off campus: access to calendars and certain policies; and written notice and opportunities to opt students out of comprehensive sexual-health education and answering certain surveys or assignments.
If the legislature signs these initiatives (which can’t be changed, they can only be signed into law as is or they go on the 2023 November ballot), then they become law without the Governor’s signature. The Governor can’t veto these initiatives. They are veto proof, if the legislature of both houses approves them. ◆