Smith on Politics: Advisory Votes to Cost $120,000; Eyman Defends Cost

Voters in Shoreline, Lake Forest Park and the rest of Washington will face two advisory votes on the November ballot.

These are non-binding advisory votes on tax measures that the Legislature has passed – one on eliminating tax breaks for large banks and one on eliminating taxes on petroleum products.

A state elections official said last week that the cost of printing the advisory votes on ballots in the voters’ pamphlet, plus translation where need, was about $120,000.

Tim Eyman, who sponsored the initiative that forced the advisory votes, said Monday that the cost was worthwhile.

“Voters approved the initiative that required advisory votes, because if the legislature is going to raise taxes and isn't going to let the voters vote on them, then the voters want to know how much these tax increases are going to cost them over the next 10 years ($170 million and $27 million are the 10-year costs for this year's two tax increases) and how legislators voted on them and their contact information." 

As the initiative stated its intent section: “The people find that, if they are not be allowed to vote on a tax increase, good public policy demands that at least the legislature should be aware of the voters' view of individual tax increases. An advisory vote of the people at least gives the legislature the views of the voters and gives the voters information about the bill increasing taxes and provides the voters with legislators' names and contact information and how they voted on the bill.  The people have a right to know what's happening in Olympia.”

Seattle Times endorses Kagi and Ryu

The Seattle Times has endorsed incumbent Democratic 32nd District State Reps. Ruth Kagi and Cindy Ryu for re-election.

In a Sunday editorial, the Times cited Kagi for her work to protect children and her work to improve truck safety in the most recent of her seven terms in the Legislature.

The Times said that Ryu had had a good first term in the Legislature, particularly on transportation, economic development and local government issues. The Times added that Ryu's Republican opponent, Randy Hayden of Edmonds, is not prepared to replace her.

Ryu faces Hayden and Kagi faces Republican Robert Reedy of Mountlake Terrace in the Nov. 6 general election. 

Frockt, Kagi win honors for work with children

Democratic 32nd District State Rep. Ruth Kagi and Democratic 46th District State Sen. David Frockt are among eight Legislators who recently won the “Golden Crayon” award from the Northwest Early Learning Coalition and the Early Learning Action Alliance.

Kagi’s 32nd District includes Shoreline, part of northwest Seattle, Woodway, south Edmonds, nearby unincorporated areas of Snohomish County, Lynnwood and part of Mountlake Terrace.

Frockt’s 46th District includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.

Carin Chase named top Democratic District chair

Carin Chase, chairwoman of the 32nd Legislative District Democratic organization has won the honor of District Chair of the Year from Washington State Democrats,

She is one of nine winners of the Warren G.  Magnuson awards that the State Democratic Party will present Oct. 6 at the Washington Convention Center in Seattle.

Oct. 6 and 8 deadlines for voter registration         

Monday, Oct. 8, is the last day for voters to register online for the Nov. 6 general election, or for previously registered Washington voters to change their voting addresses.         The deadline for voters to register by mail, or for previously registered Washington voters to file a change of address is Saturday, Oct. 6.         These deadlines are two days early because Oct. 8 is the Columbus Day holiday.

Voters who want to register by mail can get material at many libraries and at most post offices, or they can download forms from the King County elections website or the secretary of state's website.

Voters can register online by following links from either website. The secretary of state's registration web site is www.vote.wa.gov.New Washington voters can register through Oct. 29, but they must register at the county elections office in Renton.