In the News
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COLUMN: "Brian Heywood’s dream would be a nightmare for WA’s economy"
For Heywood and other self-described conservatives, the difference between posturing and governing is immense. What do they want to conserve?
Not the planet. Not Washington’s environmental quality.– The Seattle Times, Feb. 2, 2024
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6 initiatives head to WA ballot with $6M support of Brian Heywood
This year, Heywood may be the most consequential figure in Washington politics. Think Tim Eyman with a gigantic bank account.
Pouring more than $6 million of his money into a paid signature-gathering campaign, Heywood has almost single-handedly bankrolled six initiatives that are likely headed to the November ballot.– The Seattle Times, Jan. 28, 2024
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In Our View: Voters should know how much initiatives cost
A court ruling Friday could be significant to the November election in Washington. It also calls to mind the need for voters to be informed.
- The Columbian, June 11, 2024
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A welcome victory for more information during election season
Washington voters face some very weighty ballot measures this November. They should have all the facts at their fingertips to make the most enlightened decisions.
Thankfully, the fight for more information and full financial disclosure just won an important legal battle.
- The Seattle Times, June 11, 2024
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GOP initiative backers lose fight to keep budget impacts off WA ballot
OLYMPIA — A Thurston County Superior Court judge on Friday blocked an attempt by GOP backers of a slate of voter initiatives to keep the budget implications of their proposals off the ballot.
- The Seattle Times, June 8, 2024
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Washington judge denies GOP attempt to keep financial impact of initiatives off November ballots
Information about how much money three GOP-backed initiatives would cost the state of Washington must appear on the November ballot where voters can see it, a judge on Friday ruled.
- The Associated Press, June 7, 2024
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Opponents of three fall ballot initiatives come out swinging
Opponents of three initiatives Washington voters will address on their November ballots are working to preserve the laws associated with those ballot measures through rallies, education campaigns and other means. Those in favor of the initiatives, which would repeal the laws or adjust how they're applied, say they stand firm.
- Columbia Basin Herald, May 18, 2024
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Defend Washington publicly releases recent polling showing Brian Heywood and Jim Walsh’s slate of initiatives on track to fail
The coalition working to protect Washington from three measures that seek to repeal or sabotage funding for education, climate action, and long term care says it's on a winning trajectory.
- The Cascadia Advocate, May 15th, 2024
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3 ballot questions you should know about
On KOMO’s ARC program, a spokesperson for Defend Washington laid out the problems with I-2124, and other initiatives on the ballot.
- ARC Seattle, May 7, 2024
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Why supporters of Washington’s long-term care program are worried
Initiative 2124 would make the payroll tax that funds WA cares optional. That’s likely to blow up its finances, according to policy experts and a recent analysis.
- Washington State Standard, May 7, 2024
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I’m a child care provider. Washington’s capital gains tax is critical for the families I serve.
If I-2109 passes, I could lose as much as half of my enrollment. This would be catastrophic for my small business and families who could no longer afford care. Missed learning for children and missed hours for working parents won’t help Washington. The potential consequences could be devastating to an entire generation of early learners.
- Washington State Standard, May 1, 2024
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The cost of repealing state laws on climate, health and capital gains
Gov. Jay Inslee said, “Those initiatives jointly would gut … would kneecap, would blow a hole in all of these benefits Washingtonians are now enjoying.”
- The Seattle Times, March 22, 2024
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Hey, Eastern WA: Take the money from King County millionaires and run
- The Seattle Times, March 13, 2024
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Protect Climate Commitment Act
Benefits in Clark County: Free transit, rail and ferries for youth; six street upgrades to allow kids to walk or bike safely to school; one school heating efficiency project; two projects for fish passage; one grant for a tribe; seven air quality monitoring projects; 27 electric vehicle charging stations.
Benefits statewide: Electric ferries; electric heat pumps; electric heat pump water heaters; solar panels; transit upgrades; electric school buses.
- The Columbian, March 12, 2024
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WA’s carbon pricing system may fund $200M for new electric ferries
But if voters repeal the cap-and-trade program in a November referendum, the plan to convert three diesel vessels to hybrid may need other funding sources.
- Cascade PBS, March 4, 2024
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Washington’s key climate law is under attack. Big Oil wants it to survive.
How did a cap-and-trade program considered the "gold standard" gain the support of oil companies?
- Grist, February 13, 2024