Washingtonians demand hearings on citizen initiatives
Washingtonians from all over the state gathered on the north steps at the state Capitol in Olympia, for a rally planned only a week in advance. Protesters displayed signs that read “We want hearings,” and “Follow the constitution.”
PHOTO BY ASPEN ANDERSON/WASHINGTON STATE JOURNAL/WNPA
OLYMPIA — A sea of red, white and blue covered the Capitol steps in Olympia on Friday as hundreds of Washingtonians waved American flags and demanded hearings on six initiatives to roll back taxes, solidify parents’ rights and restore police authority.
The initiatives supported by the political action group Let’s Go Washington all received the requisite number of signatures to be approved for consideration but have yet to receive a hearing from the Legislature. One rolls back the capital gains tax, another repeals the Climate Commitment Act that critics say pushes up fuel costs statewide. Both have raised millions for state programs. A third addresses police and their authority to enforce the law. In all, 2.6 million state residents signed petitions in support of the initiatives.
Republicans say the Constitution demands that initiatives take precedence over other business and should have hearings now. Democrats say they are concerned about budget impacts and as long as they act on the initiatives this session, Constitutional rules are satisfied. Democrats say they are studying the budget impact of the two initiatives that inspired the gathering.
House Republican Leader Rep. Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, said Democrats aren’t in a hurry to take up the initiatives.
“I think it's quite an injustice that the voice of the people is not being heard and when you ask the questions of why they are not hearing us you get no response,” said Gina Medley of Tacoma.
Democrats said they felt examining the initiatives was a step backward.
“I worry about pulling us back and negating all of these incredible policy advancements that we've made,” Sen. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, said. “What the right strategies are to protect these investments I think we are still working on developing.”
The final initiative gives police more leeway to start high-speed chases, supports parental rights in schools and allows people to opt out of the WA Cares long-term health care payroll tax. The final initiative would prohibit state and local governments from creating an income tax.
During the rally, many said they showed up to show that there is broad support for the initiatives, not just an organization trying to set a policy.
“Nobody put a gun to my head,” signature gatherer Matthew Cook said, holding up a sign that read, “People above party.” “I did not receive a single penny to sign them. These are giving a voice to Washingtonians that have not been heard.”
GOP Chair Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, said the Legislature has three choices. It could vote the measures into law; ignore the initiatives completely, which would send them to the ballot in November; or draft alternative proposals. He predicts the outcome will be mixed.
“The worst-case scenario is not that bad. They could be ignored by the majority party and then they go on the ballot in November. The polling shows they're likely to pass,” Stokesbary said.
Brandi Kruse, podcast host of “unDivided,” led the rally and later shared her predictions.
“For sure these will be on the ballot in November,” Kruse said. “I don't anticipate a scenario where Democrats would pass these only because you’re talking about some of their key policy victories.”
Braden Cisk, a signature gatherer for Let’s Go Washington in Kitsap County, said non-partisan voters he spoke to were in support of the measures.
“I found that these resonated the most with people who are not registered or are apathetic to politics or voting because they feel like their vote doesn't matter,” Cisk said. “So, these really caught their attention because, again, these look like something productive.”
Dawn Land, a mother from the 31st Legislative district, filed an initiative related to health care for homeless youth that fell short of the required number of signatures. Yet, she showed up to the rally in support of the initiative process.
“They are not hearing us. They never hear us. They don’t listen,” Land said. “The other side needs to be heard.”
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