Reuven Carlyle

Carlyle lauds scope of EIS on proposed coal terminal

Guest — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 18:19:44 +0000

Guest (not verified) Thu, 08/01/2013 - 11:19am

A coal train passes underneath the Olympic Sculpture Park. Increased train traffic from the proposed coal export terminal could have a significant impact on the adjacent intersection between the railroad and Broad St.

Photo courtesy of Washington State House of Representatives

On his blog, www.reuvencarlyle36.com, Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Queen Anne) lauds the scope that the environmental impact statement will have on the proposed coal terminal at Cherry Point, north of Bellingham.

Carlyle has been a strong opponent of the proposed terminal, which would bring 18 or more trains more than a mile long through downtown Seattle. In Ballard, the trains would go over the Ship Canal on the west side of the Ballard Locks, through Golden Gardens and through Carkeek Park.

In his blog post, Carlyle writes, "My constituents in Seattle, and communities statewide impacted by the proposal, are demanding this serious and in depth level of analysis. This is not about one town or city, one philosophy or policy framework, it is about a systems approach to an international issue. Proponents and opponents should not fear a robust public process and examination."

Specifically, under the EIS, Whatcom County and Ecology will require:

A detailed assessment of rail transportation impacts in Whatcom County near the project site, specifically including Bellingham and Ferndale.
An assessment of how the project would affect human health, including impacts from related rail and vessel transportation in Whatcom County.
An evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions from terminal operations, and rail and vessel traffic.

In addition, the Department of Ecology will require:

A detailed assessment of rail transportation on other representative communities in Washington and a general analysis of out-of-state rail impacts.
An assessment of how the project would affect human health in Washington.
A general assessment of cargo-ship impacts beyond Washington waters.
An evaluation and disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions of end-use coal combustion.

You can read Carlyle's full post here.

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Reuven Carlyle

Washington State Legislature

Department of Ecology

Legislators recount session's disappointments at town hall

Guest — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:37:39 +0000

Guest (not verified) Mon, 07/29/2013 - 10:37am

DREAM Act, closing tax exemptions, transportation package among failures

The 36th District Legislators spoke at a town hall in the Phinney Neighborhood Center. From left to right: Rep. Reuven Carlyle, Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Rep. Gael Tarleton.

Photo by Zachariah Bryan

Not too many names were named, but it was clear at the 36th District Town Hall at the Phinney Neighborhood Center that legislators were disappointed -- to put it lightly -- in the actions of Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom and the Senate Majority Coalition.

After all, it was the Senate Majority Coalition, they said, who stopped the DREAM Act, a meaningful transportation package, getting more revenue to properly fund K-12 education, closing meaningless tax loopholes and more.

"I think a lot of people don't appreciate this type of move. Changing Senate rules, blocking things, not allowing votes to come to the floor," Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Belltown) said. She hinted that things would not look good on the campaign trail for Republicans and the turncoat Democrats. Tom will be up for re-election in 2014

Needless to say, with three democrats at the microphone -- Kohl-Welles, Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Queen Anne) and Rep. Gael Tarleton (D-Ballard) -- there were few things not blamed on the Republicans. Though the Democrat trio did offer that, in some areas, there was a growing tide in Republicans who are breaking away from the old values.

Notably, on the DREAM act, there are Republicans in Eastern Washington who understand the need to respect Hispanic populations. The DREAM Act would allow low-income, high school graduates without legal U.S. residency to qualify for Washington's State Need Grant to pay for college.

"It's a personal sense of conventional wisdom that not only is their community changing, but that these are kids they know and who are going to school," Carlyle said.

Still, Kohl-Welles said that the issue was not even brought to the floor in the Senate, even though the now-infamous majority leader himself, Tom, supported it.

"They have this block in this majority coalition, they are doing everything they can to intimidate and keep things from happening," she said.

Tarleton noted that there needs to be more money for the State Need Grant, saying that there are 32,000 applicants who were turned away because there was not enough for them. The DREAM Act would have added about 800 new applicants.

Also, on tax exemptions, Carlyle said that some classic Republicans who fancy themselves the champions of small businesses are beginning to realize that the loopholes are really only helping the bigger, more corporate businesses -- the ones with lobbying muscle in Olympia -- and not so much the ma and pa stores that they hold dear.

Carlyle is advocating for a more fair approach to taxes, by broadening rather than narrowing the scope. Meaning, he would rather have a diverse set of taxes that are low, rather than a few taxes that are high (which are notably exempted for big businesses).

Currently, Washington ranks 36th from the top in state and local taxes paid per $1,000 of personal income according to the Washington State Department of Revenue. While Carlyle said the goal isn't to have the highest taxes, he said that the state should be able to adequately pay for all of its necessities. Not having a decent tax system is preventing progress, though, he said.

"The idea that we are crushed under the weight of taxes is simply not based on reality," Carlyle said.

A big piece of legislation that was ultimately doomed by the senate is the transportation package. The absence of such a package means that there will be no new revenue to improve Washington's infrastructure. Furthermore, it could result in a 17 percent cut to King County Metro bus services that could alter the way residents commute.

The whole session was not a failure. Tarleton was able to pass her first bill as a freshman representative, making landlords more accountable for better securing spare keys to the apartment, preventing horrific incidents such as one woman who was brutally beaten and raped. Carlyle was able to fix the archaic telecommunications tax structure, bringing in enough revenue to help pay for education. And Kohl-Welles made significant strides in passing legislation to help deter human trafficking.

And for what didn't happen this year -- well, there's always next year.

"A lot of damage can be done in a very short time" and next year, the 36th District legislators will be looking to fix things, Tarleton said.

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Legislators meet with 36th District principals

Guest — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:35:33 +0000

Guest (not verified) Fri, 03/22/2013 - 1:35pm

Principal Keven Wynkoop of Ballard High School, Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Queen Anne) and Principal Erika Ayer of Daniel Bagley Elementary School

Photo courtesy of Rep. Reuven Carlyle

Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Queen Anne), Rep. Gael Tarleton (D-Ballard) and Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Belltown) met up with two principals from the 36th District -- Keven Wynkoop of Ballard High School and Erika Ayer from Daniel Bagley Elementary School -- to talk about the importance of fully funding basic education.

"Principal Ayer and I were happy to meet with Representatives Carlyle and Tarleton and Senator Kohl-Welles and are confident that they are fighting to fully fund all the education reforms that the Legislature has put in place recently in a way that benefits our students," Wynkoop said.

As we've talked about before, the Washington State Legislature has a hefty task before it: Meeting its state constitution's requirement to fully fund K-12 education, as required by the Supreme Court's McCleary decision last year. It's a $1.1 billion bill they're looking at, which with other items will make for a whopping total of $2 billion in debt that the Legislature has to make up.

Add to that the fact that the Supreme Court overturned the 2/3 majority rule required for the Legislature to raise any taxes, and you have yourself an interesting conversation.

And if you missed it, funding education was a huge concern at last weekend's 36th District townhall event.

Zachariah Bryan can be reached a zachb@robinsonnews.com

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Ballard High School

Reuven Carlyle

Washington State Legislature

Education dominates discussion at legislative townhall

Guest — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:32:03 +0000

Guest (not verified) Tue, 03/19/2013 - 10:32am

36th District Legislators speak to their constituents at a townhall gathering. From left to right: Rep. Gael Tarleton (D-Ballard), Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Belltown) and Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Queen Anne)

Photo by Zachariah Bryan

If it's one thing the citizens of the 36th District are concerned about, it's education. Be it K-12, trade or vocational school, community college or university.

"I think everyone knows we have one of the most educated, intelligent, passionate districts in the state," Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Queen Anne) said to a healthy crowd of about 80 at Saturday, March 16's 36th District legislative town hall. He said every day they get hundreds of emails and calls from their constituents.

It's true, if Jeanne Kohl-Welles' (D-Belltown) lamentation to the Ballard News-Tribune after the townhall is any indication. She said she tries hard to respond to all of the constituent letters coming in, but says that often there are just too many.

Newbie Rep. Gael Tarleton (D-Ballard) was also excited by the impressive constituent involvement of the 36th District. "The vast majority coming into the office were not lobbyists. They were all of you."

On everyone's mind was education.

With the McCleary Decision last year court-ordering the Washington State Legislature to fully fund education, a requirement which is prioritized in the state constitution, the Legislature is pressured more than ever to get it right this year.

Moreover, this year, the League of Education Voters won a case against Tim Eyman's initiative which required a two-thirds majority vote on any tax increase whatsoever. The court ruled it was laid out in the state constitution that only a simple majority vote was needed, and thus an amendment to the constitution itself would need To be made. Education Voters declared it a "huge win for kids and schools."

But with a large revenue shortfall of about $2 billion, including the McCleary Decision, legislators were realistic about what they could fund.

"I don't want to assume this opens the floodgates to taxes or makes it easy," Carlyle said, referring to the turning over of the two-thirds rule. "The question is: How do we fund our budget? And how do we do so in a responsible way?" Carlyle said.

He said that Washingtonians made themselves heard when they voted through Eyman's initiative over and over again. Still, he said, he believed that the initiative was fundamentally unconstitutional.

Another obstacle on the horizon is the conservative Majority Coalition Caucus, which controls the state senate.

"We have the stage set for incredible challenges on doing anything with the budget," Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Belltown) said. She went on to explain that she could not say much of what would happen in the rest of the session because Democrats do not have a say on everything.

And of course, added on top of all of that is a recession that is just limping along.

"We're usually one of the last states to come out of the recession because we are sales tax dependent," Kohl-Welles said.

She blamed Washington's regressive tax system as the main cause for this. She said she has tried to pass numerous times an income tax where the earnings would go to early learning, K-12 and higher education. But, she has never been able to gain traction.

Kohl-Welles predicted that whatever happens, it will be a hard fight to the finish.

"What I hear from lobbyists ... is we're either going to reach an agreement on the budget by then, or it's gonna be a long time," she said.

Residents came to the townhall equipped with questions and concerns. The representatives were not exactly prepared or fully able to answer all of them.

One asked, what are legislators going to do about districts which re-appropriate their funds inefficiently? And how should the state go about funding important programs?

"We do not micromanage where the funding goes," Kohl-Welles said, explaining that much of that authority is placed upon the districts. "I don't know what the answer is to that. I think part of the answer is to fund schools and education under court order. I also think we need to fund colleges more, too."

Another resident's concern: "I think it's kind of funny or sad about the number of counselors they graduate. A lot of Seattle schools don't have counselors -- that's what we need to come back," said Eric Bloomhagen, a school counselor, referencing the State's decision that K-12 education is not being fully funded.

36D legislators receive good grades on promoting equality, opportunity

Guest — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 18:39:46 +0000

Guest (not verified) Tue, 02/19/2013 - 10:39am

Rep. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-36) was the only State Senator to receive an "A" rating on promoting equality and opportunity through her legislation.

Photo courtesy of Washington State Legislature

Our very own Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles has just been recognized for her commitment to promoting "justice, equality and opportunity for all" through her voting record.

She received an "A" rating on the Racial Justice Report Card issued by the Washington Community Action Network.

Fellow 36D legislator Rep. Reuven Carlyle received a "B" rating. Since grading was based on the 2012 slate of legislators, Rep. Gael Tarleton was not graded. The Washington State Legislature overall did not receive a very satisfactory grade -- "D."

20 percent of the population in the 36th District consists of people of color, according to the report.

“This is no small matter. As legislators, we have a responsibility to our communities, and given that the Legislature received a ‘D’ overall, there is clearly more work we need to do in order to end institutional racism and promote social justice in Washington,” Kohl-Welles said in a statement. “This honor reaffirms my commitment to equality in the 36th District and across our state.”

Kohl-Welles was the only state senator to receive an “A.” She said that during hard economic times, the need to promote pro-equality and pro-opportunity legislation is greater than ever. Communities of color and low-income household are disproportionately hurt by budget cuts and job losses, she said.

“A recession affects everyone but it does not affect them equally,” Kohl-Welles said. “The health of our communities rests on whether we make sure all families, and not just the privileged, have the resources they need.”

The rating was based on lawmakers’ votes on the 712 bills passed by the Legislature in 2011 and 2012. It assesses whether the bills promoted fundamental values like opportunity for all or helped to widen race-based gaps in education, health, income, economic stability, and opportunity.

The report asked the following questions concerning what type of legislation was promoted by lawmakers.

• Does the legislation explicitly address racial outcomes and work to eliminate racial inequities?
• Will the legislation increase access to public benefits and institutions for communities of color?
• Does the legislation advance enfranchisement and full civic participation for everyone in the state?
• Will the legislation protect against racial violence, racial profiling, and discrimination?
• Is the legislation enforceable? Are adequately funded mechanisms in place to ensure accountability?
• Will the legislation exacerbate existing racial inequities, or have unintended consequences on communities
of color?

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Reuven Carlyle

Washington State Legislature

36D legislators sign onto letter asking for statewide coal impact review

Guest — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:07:34 +0000

Guest (not verified) Tue, 01/22/2013 - 11:07am

Photo courtesy of Washington State House of Representatives

On Tuesday, Jan. 22, 36th District's Rep. Reuven Carlyle, Rep. Gael Tarleton and nine other legislators signed onto a letter to Tyler Schroeder of Whatcom Planning and Development Services asking for full statewide review of any economic impacts the coal export terminal would bring.

"We are particularly interested in ensuring that this review process accurately identifies and assesses the full range of potential externalities and impacts, not just in the area immediately surrounding the project site, but statewide in a comprehensive and cumulative fashion," the letter states.

What they ask to be reviewed -- which includes impacts on both built and natural environments -- is no short order. They are as follows:

Traffic congestion at railroad crossings
Impacts to existing freight cargo and passenger rail
Impacts to ferry systems and San Juan Straits marine traffic
Effect on property value
Net employment changes
Public investment to maintain transportation infrastructure
Impact market volatility on commerce and infrastructure
Greenhouse gases a emission targets
Impacts on air and noise pollution
Impacts to marine environment
And cumulative net impacts of all the coal export terminals being built throughout the region.

The letter is a followup action to a demand that legislators made to Gov. Christine Gregoire at the end of last year, which was spearheaded by Carlyle. You can find our report of that here.

You can read the full letter here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3LxvCFXBc7kbGdmLVd3RXlfdWc/edit

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Reuven Carlyle

Washington State Legislature

Carlyle, Tarleton get on board with important committees; Kohl-Welles stripped of hers

Guest — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:47:17 +0000

Guest (not verified) Fri, 12/14/2012 - 6:47am

36th District Representatives Gael Tarleton and Reuven Carlyle.

In the State House of Representatives, 36th District's Rep. Reuven Carlyle and Rep. Gael Tarleton have become part of particularly strong committees.

Notably, Carlyle is chair of the newly created House Finance Committee and as a member of the Appropriations Committee.

The former, all powerful Ways and Means Committee, which was in charge of both revenue and appropriations and where often many budget decisions lived or died, was split up into these two committees.

So, now as chair of the House Finance Committee, Carlyle will oversee all revenues and tax exemptions for the state. And he will also have an influence on the appropriations. As one headline punned, just "Call him Reuven-ue Carlyle."

He'll have to live up to his name, too, as he faces both a $900 million budget shortfall and a court decision declaring that Washington is breaking its constitutional duty by underfunding K-12 education -- meaning the Legislature will have to scrounge up an extra $1 billion.

Carlyle will also be a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and the Government Operations and Elections Committee.

Meanwhile, Tarleton got on board with some fairly important committees, too. She will be a member of the Rules, Higher Education, Technology and Economic Development and Transportation Committees.

The Transportation Committee might play a particularly key role, as Gov. Christine Gregoire is planning to put together a transportation package she says will rival the multi-billion dollar deal she helped pass in 2005, according to an interview she did with the Associated press. Some have worried her focus will be too much on roads and too little on transit.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, things are a little more dicey.

Since fiscally conservative Democrats Sen. Rodney Tom of Bellevue and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch joined forces with Republicans to create a new caucus, the "Majority Coalition Caucus," committees may be rearranged entirely, and Tom will be taking over for Sen. Ed Murray as Senate Majority Leader.

In addition to Republicans being placed on some of the most powerful committees, Sen Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-36) will be deposed as chair of the Senate Labor, Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee. In her place, the coalition has picked Republican Janea Holmquist Newbry of Moses Lake.

Kohl-Welles said if Republicans were given the committee, she would "fear where they would take our state."

In a statement, she had the following to say about the newly formed coalition and their recent move:

“Forcing half the chamber to accept a take-it-or-leave-it plan is not the way you foster collaboration, trust or respect. That’s a recipe for confrontation, not collaboration ... It takes more than the defection of two conservative Democrats to make a proposal bipartisan. If one side says it’s bipartisan but the other side says it’s not, then it’s not."

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Reuven Carlyle

Washington State Legislature

Majority Coalition Caucus

What's on the minds of 36th District legislators?

Guest — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:18:08 +0000

Guest (not verified) Thu, 11/15/2012 - 8:18am

Speaking at the Post-Election Analysis forum, from left to right: Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-36), State Senate Majority Leader Sen. Ed Murray (D-43), Rep-elect Gael Tarleton (D-36), Stranger Editor Dominic Holden, Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-36)

Photo by Zachariah Bryan

What are legislators in the 36th District worried about going into this coming year's legislative session?

At State Senator Jeanne Kohl Welle's (D-36) annual post-election analysis forum at Hale's Ales on Wednesday night, Nov. 14 that's what was discussed. She was joined by Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-36) incoming Rep. Gael Tarleton (D-36), Stranger editor Dominic Holden, famous-guy and marijuana advocate Rick Steves, and City Attorney Pete Holmes, also a supporter of the marijuana initiative and who joked that people asked if he was Rick Steves while at events. The event was moderated by Nate Miles

The speakers, all Democrats, were jubilant about wins that happened during the elections: President Obama, Jay Inslee, same-sex marriage, marijuana legalization and more. (We reported about the election night wins here.)

One item that will be weighing on Carlyle's mind is the proposed coal export terminal, which lately has garnered media attention and widespread protest. He was part of a group of legislators who sent a letter to Gov. Christine Gregoire demanding the creation of a Statewide Task Force to help study the economic and environmental implications on a bigger scale than the Environmental Impact Study could do on its own. (Read more about that here.)

Murray also expressed discontent with the racial and gender makeup of the Legislature, saying it is older and whiter than ever before. No longer are there Hispanic, single-mother or mothers with school-aged children, he said. "You have to have a place at the table (to have a voice)," he said.

However, the heaviest subject looming over the legislators' minds is the budget deficit they will have to face next year.

The Legislature will be facing a projected $900 million deficit next year. On top of that, the Legislature will need to come up with $1.1 billion to fund education as a result of the State Supreme Court's McCleary decision, which states that Washington has been violating its State Constitution by underfunding K-12 education.

Holden said that something needs to be done. No headway has been made on funding crucial services in Washington, such as health care, disability lifeline and especially education.

"It bears repeating and it bears repeating until we are all blue in the (expletive) face!" Holden said. "We are like a pickle, there is no fat left to cut."

Governor-elect Jay Inslee has been criticized for running on the platform of not raising taxes. Some, including Gov. Christine Gregoire, have said it's simply not possible to both adequately fund education and not increase revenue through taxes.

"I'm telling both candidates I don’t know how you can meet your obligations for McCleary without new revenue," Gregoire said at a news conference during elections.

During her campaign, Tarleton has said that she was in support of a Higher Earner's Income Tax (her opponent, Noel Frame, was an avid supporter of it). She also proposed the idea of a candy and soda sales tax -- which has been rejected by Washington voters before -- and a half-penny increase sales tax.

Another problem, mentioned by Carlyle, is Tim Eyman's Initiative 1185, which requires a two-thirds supermajority vote in the legislature for any and every tax increase. The requirement, which is bolstered by enough immovable Republicans, would make it nearly impossible to raise taxes, unless the initiative is struck down in court as unconstitutional (which Carlyle and others claim should happen).

Holden was adamant in saying that the tax structure, which has been said to be one of the most regressive in the nation, needs to be fixed to make up for revenue problems.

"I don't know how to pick that lock, but I hope you guys do," Holden said.

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Reuven Carlyle

Washington State Legislature

Tonight: Post-election analysis with Kohl-Welles, Carlyle, Holden, Tarleton and more

Guest — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 20:29:29 +0000

Guest (not verified) Wed, 11/14/2012 - 12:29pm

Political junkies, unite.

Tonight State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles will be hosting her 19th Annual Post-Election Analysis and 36th LD Dems Silent Auction at Hale's Ales (4301 Leary Way NW), from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. See below for full release:

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle) holds her 19th annual post-election analysis fundraiser Wednesday, Nov. 14th at the Hale’s Ales Brewery & Pub, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Speaking on the election results will be Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, state Senator Ed Murray, state Representative Reuven Carlyle, The Stranger News Editor Dominic Holden, Travel Writer Rick Steves and State Representative-Elect Gael Tarleton. The moderator will be Nate Miles.

The 36th District Democrats’ will hold its 11th annual silent auction at the event. Hale’s Ales Brewery & Pub is located at 4301 Leary NW in Ballard, along bus routes 28 and 46. Parking is available on the streets. The event is open to the public. Donations will be gratefully accepted. For additional information, email Sen.JeanneKohlWellesCampaign@gmail.com or call McKenna Hartman at (206) 971-6730.

Election Watch: Measures and candidate races we’re keeping an eye on

Guest — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:03:29 +0000

Guest (not verified) Wed, 11/07/2012 - 7:03am

Inslee slightly widens lead; Tarleton maintains win

UPDATE: 5:45 PM, Nov. 7

Throughout the evening of Nov. 6 and into the rest of the week we’ll be watching election returns and posting the latest results here. Any measures or candidates not covered here can also be found at the King County Elections website.

BALLOT MEASURES
*Descriptions on measures from King County Elections

Seattle
General Obligation Bonds - $290,000,000 (Alaskan Way Seawall)

The City Council of the City of Seattle, Washington, passed Ordinance No. 123922, concerning funding for the Alaskan Way seawall and associated infrastructure.

This proposition would address public safety risks and seismic hazards by authorizing the City to incur costs related to the design, construction, renovation, improvement and replacement of the Alaskan Way seawall and associated public facilities and infrastructure, including City-owned waterfront piers; issue no more than $290,000,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 30 years; and levy annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, all as provided in Ordinance No. 123922.

Approved
Votes: 172,230
Percent: 76.89

Rejected
Votes: 51,751
Percent: 23.11

King County

Regular Property Tax Levy for Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) Services
The King County council has passed Ordinance No. 17381 concerning this proposition for the automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) levy. This proposition would replace an expiring levy and fund continued operation of the regional AFIS program, which provides enhanced forensic fingerprint and palmprint technology and services to identify criminals and aid in convictions. It would authorize King County to levy an additional property tax of $0.0592 (5.92 cents) per $1,000 of assessed valuation for collection in 2013 and authorize annual increases by the percentage increase in the consumer price index or 1%, whichever is greater, with a maximum increase of 3%, for the five succeeding years.

Approved
Votes: 372,049
Percent: 59.51

Rejected
Votes: 253,165
Percent: 40.49

Statewide

Initiative Measure No. 502 (concerns marijuana)
This measure would license and regulate marijuana production, distribution, and possession for persons over twenty-one; remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes; tax marijuana sales; and earmark marijuana-related revenues.

Yes
Votes: 1,302,816
Percent: 55.36

No
Votes: 1,050,629
Percent: 44.64

Referendum Measure No. 74 (concerns marriage for same-sex couples)
The legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6239 concerning marriage for same-sex couples, modified domestic-partnership law, and religious freedom, and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on this bill.

This bill would allow same-sex couples to marry, preserve domestic partnerships only for seniors, and preserve the right of clergy or religious organizations to refuse to perform, recognize, or accommodate any marriage ceremony.

Approved
Votes: 1,230,253
Percent: 52.34

Rejected
Votes: 1,120,066
Percent: 47.66

Initiative Measure No. 1240 – (concerns creation of a public charter school system)
This measure would authorize up to forty publicly-funded charter schools open to all students, operated through approved, nonreligious, nonprofit organizations, with government oversight; and modify certain laws applicable to them as public schools.

Yes
Votes: 1,169,483
Percent: 51

No
Votes: 1,123,794
Percent: 49

Initiative 1185, concerns tax and fee increases imposed by state government.

This measure would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval.

Yes
Votes: 1,460,450
Percent: 64.55

No
Votes: 802,032
Percent: 35.45

--------------------------------

CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT

Governor

Rob McKenna (R)
Votes: 1,138,800
Percent: 48.89

Jay Inslee (D)
Votes: 1,190,378
Percent: 51.11

King County Sheriff unexpired 1 year term

Steve Strachan
Votes: 229,644
Percent 42.51

John Urquhart
Votes: 308,425
Percent 57.09

Congressional District 7

Jim McDermott
Votes: 210,040
Percent: 79.54