Initiative 960

Initiative Measure No. 960 concerns tax and fee increases imposed by state government. This measure would require two-thirds legislative approval or voter approval for tax increases, legislative approval of fee increases, certain published information on tax-increasing bills, and advisory votes on taxes enacted without voter approval. YESReferendum No. 67 The legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5726 (ESSB 5726) concerning insurance fair conduct related to claims for coverage or benefits and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill. This bill would make it unlawful for insurers to unreasonably deny certain coverage claims, and permit treble damages plus attorney fees for that and other violations. Some health insurance carriers would be exempt. APPROVEDSenate Joint Resolution 8206 The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on establishment of a budget stabilization account. This amendment would require the legislature to transfer 1% of general state revenues to a budget stabilization account each year and prohibit expenditures from the account except as set forth in the amendment.APPROVEDSenate Joint Resolution 8212 The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on inmate labor. This amendment would authorize state-operated inmate labor programs and programs in which inmate labor is used by private entities through state contracts, and prohibit privately operated programs from unfairly competing with Washington businesses.APPROVEDHouse Joint Resolution 4204 The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on school district tax levies. This amendment would provide for approval of school district excess property tax levies by simple majority vote of participating voters, and would eliminate supermajority approval requirements based on voter turnout in previous elections.REJECTEDHouse Joint Resolution 4215 The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on investment of higher education permanent funds. This amendment would authorize the investment of money in higher education permanent funds as permitted by law, and would permit investment in stocks or bonds issued by any company, if authorized by law.REJECTEDKing County Initiative 25 Initiative 25 is a proposed ordinance. If approved by voters, it would place a charter amendment on the November 2008 general election ballot that would ask: “Shall the King County Charter be amended to provide that the position of county director of elections be created as a nonpartisan elected office?” Should Initiative 25 be adopted so that this charter amendment will be placed before voters in November 2008?YESPROPOSITION NO. 1MEDIC ONE – EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICESRENEWAL OF EXISTING REGULAR PROPERTY TAX LEVYThe King County Council adopted Ordinance 15861 concerning funding for the Medic One emergency medical services system. This proposition would replace an expiring levy to continue funding of Medic One emergency medical services. It would authorize King County to impose regular property tax levies of $0.30 or less per thousand dollars of assessed valuation for each of six consecutive years, with collection beginning in 2008, as provided in King County Ordinance 15861. APPROVEDKing County ProsecutorBill ShermanKing County AssessorNO ENDORSEMENTKing County Council, Pos. 2Larry GossettKing County Council, Pos. 4Larry PhillipsKing County Council, Pos. 8Dow ConstantinePort of Seattle Commissioner, Pos. 2Gael TarletonPort of Seattle Commissioner, Pos. 5Alec FiskenSound Transit & RTID, Prop. No. 1NOSeattle City Council, Pos. 1Jean GoddenSeattle City Council, Pos. 3Bruce HarrellSeattle City Council, Pos. 5NO ENDORSEMENTSeattle City Council, Pos. 7David DellaSeattle City Council, Pos. 9NO ENDORSEMENTCity of Seattle Charter Amendment 17YESCity of Seattle Charter Amendment 18 YESSeattle School DistrictDirector Dist. 1Sally SorianoSeattle School DistrictDirector Dist. 2NO ENDORSEMENTThe Incumbent, Darlene Flynn, voted to close MLK Elementary School and has done very little to earn the support of our community, or advance the cause of Black children.Seattle School DistrictDirector Dist. 3NO ENDORSEMENTSeattle School DistrictDirector Dist. 6Maria G. RamirezCity of RentonMayorKathy KoelkerRenton City Council, Pos. 5Cheryl E. Haskins