Editorial
Election Initiatives – Don’t believe the hype
Published on Mon, Oct 31, 2011 by PRESS STAFFRead More Editorial
There are two major initiatives on the November 8 ballot. Here is some basic information to help you decide which way to vote without the hype of advertising getting in your way.
Initiative 1125
Transportation expenditures
SUMMARY This measure would prohibit the use of motor vehicle fund revenue and vehicle toll revenue for non-transportation purposes. It would require that road and bridge tolls be set by the Legislature and be project specific. It would require that tolls be “uniform and consistent” and would not allow variable pricing of tolls, which are typically higher during period of traffic congestion and lower at other times of the day or week. It would restate the existing requirement that tolls must be used on the facility for which they are collected, and require that tolls expire when the cost of a project has been paid. The full text is available at http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/i1125.pdf.
SUPPORTERS say that politicians and special interest groups have been working for years to sidestep the 18th Amendment to the Washington State Constitution, which protects gas taxes and toll revenues from being spent for non-transportation purposes. I-1125 would prevent the transfer or use of gas-tax-funded highway lanes for non-highway purposes, such as light rail. I-1125 would require tolls to be project-specific and expire once the costs of that project have been paid. Finally, they say requiring legislative approval of tolls would add transparency and accountability to toll-setting. For more information, see www.voterswantmorechoices.com.
OPPONENTS contend that I-1125 is really designed to halt major transportation projects across the state, such as the Evergreen Point floating bridge replacement across Lake Washington, Clark County’s Columbia River Crossing and Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct. They say that at a time when our economy most needs help, I-1125 would blow a hole in transportation funding, miring our communities in gridlock, and further slowing our economic recovery. They believe having an independent, non-partisan commission set toll rates leads to decisions based on sound policy, not politics, and claim that no other state in the country lets politicians set tolls. Visit www.voteno1125.com for details.
Initiative 1183
Liquor sales privatization
SUMMARY This measure would close state-run liquor stores and the state-owned liquor distribution center, and sell their assets. It would license private parties to sell and distribute spirits; set license fees based on sales; regulate licensees; and change wine distribution regulations. Existing contract liquor stores would receive a new retail spirits license. For other retailers to obtain a retail spirits license, a store must have at least 10,000 square feet of enclosed retail space in a single structure. However, smaller stores could obtain a retail spirits license if (1) it is the location of a former state-owned liquor store or a contract liquor store, or (2) there are no 10,000 square foot licensed spirits stores in the area. I-1183 allows the public and local governments to provide input before licenses are issued, and it preserves local government’s power to zone and regulate the location of liquor stores. The full text is available at www.sos.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/i1183.pdf.
SUPPORTERS say I-1183 would end Washington’s outdated state liquor store monopoly and allow Washington consumers to buy spirits at licensed retail stores, like consumers do in most other states. It would allow a limited number of grocery and retail stores, approved by the state Liquor Control Board, to obtain licenses to sell liquor, and prevent liquor sales at gas stations and convenience stores. I-1183 also doubles penalties for retailers who sell spirits to minors, ensures local input into which grocery and retail stores would get liquor licenses, mandates new training programs and increases compliance requirements for retailers, and dedicates new revenue to increase funding for local police, fire, and emergency services statewide. Visit www.YESon1183.com to learn more.
OPPONENTS argue that I-1183 is designed to benefit big retail chains, not the public. It gives chains an unfair competitive advantage over smaller grocers, while a major loophole written into the measure would allow mini-marts to sell liquor across much of the state if there is not a 10,000-square foot grocery store in a neighborhood or “trade area.” They point out that alcohol kills more children than all other drugs combined. Yet I-1183 would allow more than four times as many liquor outlets as we currently have in Washington state. It also creates a new 27 percent hidden tax that will be passed onto consumers, raising taxes to fund corporate profits, opponents say. I-1183 would immediately eliminate over 1,000 jobs by closing state-owned liquor stores at a time when our economy can least afford it. For more information, see www.protectourcommunities.com.
Initiative 1125
Transportation expenditures
SUMMARY This measure would prohibit the use of motor vehicle fund revenue and vehicle toll revenue for non-transportation purposes. It would require that road and bridge tolls be set by the Legislature and be project specific. It would require that tolls be “uniform and consistent” and would not allow variable pricing of tolls, which are typically higher during period of traffic congestion and lower at other times of the day or week. It would restate the existing requirement that tolls must be used on the facility for which they are collected, and require that tolls expire when the cost of a project has been paid. The full text is available at http://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/i1125.pdf.
SUPPORTERS say that politicians and special interest groups have been working for years to sidestep the 18th Amendment to the Washington State Constitution, which protects gas taxes and toll revenues from being spent for non-transportation purposes. I-1125 would prevent the transfer or use of gas-tax-funded highway lanes for non-highway purposes, such as light rail. I-1125 would require tolls to be project-specific and expire once the costs of that project have been paid. Finally, they say requiring legislative approval of tolls would add transparency and accountability to toll-setting. For more information, see www.voterswantmorechoices.com.
OPPONENTS contend that I-1125 is really designed to halt major transportation projects across the state, such as the Evergreen Point floating bridge replacement across Lake Washington, Clark County’s Columbia River Crossing and Seattle’s Alaskan Way Viaduct. They say that at a time when our economy most needs help, I-1125 would blow a hole in transportation funding, miring our communities in gridlock, and further slowing our economic recovery. They believe having an independent, non-partisan commission set toll rates leads to decisions based on sound policy, not politics, and claim that no other state in the country lets politicians set tolls. Visit www.voteno1125.com for details.
Initiative 1183
Liquor sales privatization
SUMMARY This measure would close state-run liquor stores and the state-owned liquor distribution center, and sell their assets. It would license private parties to sell and distribute spirits; set license fees based on sales; regulate licensees; and change wine distribution regulations. Existing contract liquor stores would receive a new retail spirits license. For other retailers to obtain a retail spirits license, a store must have at least 10,000 square feet of enclosed retail space in a single structure. However, smaller stores could obtain a retail spirits license if (1) it is the location of a former state-owned liquor store or a contract liquor store, or (2) there are no 10,000 square foot licensed spirits stores in the area. I-1183 allows the public and local governments to provide input before licenses are issued, and it preserves local government’s power to zone and regulate the location of liquor stores. The full text is available at www.sos.wa.gov/elections/initiatives/text/i1183.pdf.
SUPPORTERS say I-1183 would end Washington’s outdated state liquor store monopoly and allow Washington consumers to buy spirits at licensed retail stores, like consumers do in most other states. It would allow a limited number of grocery and retail stores, approved by the state Liquor Control Board, to obtain licenses to sell liquor, and prevent liquor sales at gas stations and convenience stores. I-1183 also doubles penalties for retailers who sell spirits to minors, ensures local input into which grocery and retail stores would get liquor licenses, mandates new training programs and increases compliance requirements for retailers, and dedicates new revenue to increase funding for local police, fire, and emergency services statewide. Visit www.YESon1183.com to learn more.
OPPONENTS argue that I-1183 is designed to benefit big retail chains, not the public. It gives chains an unfair competitive advantage over smaller grocers, while a major loophole written into the measure would allow mini-marts to sell liquor across much of the state if there is not a 10,000-square foot grocery store in a neighborhood or “trade area.” They point out that alcohol kills more children than all other drugs combined. Yet I-1183 would allow more than four times as many liquor outlets as we currently have in Washington state. It also creates a new 27 percent hidden tax that will be passed onto consumers, raising taxes to fund corporate profits, opponents say. I-1183 would immediately eliminate over 1,000 jobs by closing state-owned liquor stores at a time when our economy can least afford it. For more information, see www.protectourcommunities.com.
